Polymer Research Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.
Description
The Technical Leader serves as the primary technical authority supporting global and regional business strategies for Eastman's Specialty Plastics business, with a strong focus on injection molded durable goods applications. This role is responsible for driving technology adoption, enabling commercialization, supporting strategic growth initiatives, and delivering world-class technical service and development across the value chain.
The leader develops and maintains deep technical relationships with downstream customers and industry partners while collaborating closely with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations. Through advanced expertise in polymer science, injection molding, application development, and commercialization, this role helps accelerate innovation, protect existing business, and identify new growth opportunities that strengthen Eastman's market position. This role is located onsite at our Kingsport, TN headquarters.
Responsibilities
Technology Leadership and Business Development

• Serve as the technical leader for injection molded durable goods applications within the Specialty Plastics business.
• Support execution of global and regional business strategies through application-focused technology leadership and customer engagement.
• Develop and maintain deep technical relationships across the value-chain customers and industry influencers.
• Partner with commercial teams to position Eastman's technologies and differentiate product offerings through application expertise and technical value creation.
• Identify emerging market trends, unmet customer needs, and technology opportunities to drive future business growth.

Customer Engagement and Commercialization

• Engage proactively with customers to drive solution adoption and accelerate commercialization opportunities.
• Support opportunity management processes by prioritizing, tracking, and advancing new business, growth, and protect opportunities.
• Utilize consultative selling and value-based communication techniques to effectively demonstrate technical and commercial benefits.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable development activities that enable business growth and market expansion.

Technical Problem Solving and Development

• Serve as the subject matter expert in injection molding processes and polymer application development.
• Lead resolution of complex technical challenges involving product performance, processing, application failures, and customer concerns.
• Conduct root cause investigations, failure analyses, process optimization activities, and implementation support to ensure sustainable solutions.
• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory, pilot, and field validation trials to support product adoption and commercialization.
• Translate technical findings into scalable recommendations, specifications, and best practices that improve customer success.

Industry Leadership and External Engagement

• Represent Eastman as a senior technical expert during customer visits, audits, technical reviews, and commercialization discussions.
• Deliver customer training programs, technical seminars, conference presentations, and industry workshops.
• Develop and maintain strong external networks that enhance Eastman's technical reputation and market influence.

Qualifications
Education Requirements:

• B.S. with 15+ years of relevant industry experience. PhD or Master's degree and 10+ years industry experience strongly preferred. Degree must be in Materials Science or Engineering, Polymer Science and/or Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field.

Experience Requirements:

• Extensive experience with injection molding processes, processing optimization, and commercialization of molded products. Durable goods application experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in polymers, plastics, material selection, and application development within commercial markets.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and technical troubleshooting methodologies

Other Information:

• 25% travel is required for this position

Benefits
Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career.
Compensation & Incentives
• Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success.
Health & Wellness
• Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage-paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax-free dollars for care today or in the future.
• A robust menu of voluntary benefits-including vision, optional life, critical-illness protection, and more-so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.
• Holistic wellness support: financial-planning tools, family-building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.
Retirement & Financial Strategies
• 401(k) with a company match-plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long-term savings.
Time Away
• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life's moments.
Growth & Development
• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career.
At Eastman, we invest in the whole you-so you can bring your best self to work every day and build a future you're proud of.
Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.
Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully engaged workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.