1

Polymer Science Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... polymer blends, emulsions, particles, biomedical polyesters, other viscoelastic systems etc.) • ... Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or related scientific discipline. Prior work ...

D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or related field · Background/experience with mechanical, chemical and physical material testing techniques, such as ASTM ...

S. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline * 5+ years of experience in polymer synthesis and characterization (industrial or academic) * Strong ...

S. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline * 5+ years of experience in polymer synthesis and characterization (industrial or academic) * Strong ...

S. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline * 5+ years of experience in polymer synthesis and characterization (industrial or academic) * Strong ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Polymer Science Engineer information

See salary details

$50.5K

$89.3K

$155K

How much do polymer science engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer science engineer in the United States is $89,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by Polymer Science Engineers when transitioning from research to large-scale manufacturing?

Polymer Science Engineers often encounter challenges when scaling up from laboratory research to full-scale manufacturing, including maintaining polymer quality, consistency, and performance at higher production volumes. Controlling variables such as temperature, pressure, and raw material purity becomes more complex, and unforeseen issues like equipment limitations or batch variability can arise. Collaboration with process engineers, quality control teams, and production managers is essential to troubleshoot problems and optimize processes for commercial success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Polymer Science Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Polymer Science Engineer, you need a solid background in chemistry, materials science, and polymer processing, typically supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with analytical instruments such as FTIR, DSC, SEM, and experience using lab information management systems or simulation software is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate on interdisciplinary teams and present findings clearly. These competencies are essential to develop innovative polymer materials, ensure product quality, and drive advancements in diverse industries.

What are Polymer Science Engineers?

Polymer Science Engineers are professionals who specialize in the study, design, and development of polymers—large molecules made up of repeating subunits, commonly known as plastics and rubbers. They work on creating new materials or improving existing ones for use in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, healthcare, and packaging. Their work involves understanding the chemical and physical properties of polymers, processing techniques, and how these materials behave in different environments. They also collaborate with other engineers and scientists to develop innovative products and solutions using polymer materials.

What is the difference between Polymer Science Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPolymer Science EngineerMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or Materials ScienceBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsResearch labs, industrial settings, academia
Industry UsagePlastic, rubber, polymer manufacturing companiesBroad industries including metals, ceramics, polymers

Polymer Science Engineers focus specifically on the development and processing of polymers and plastics, often working in manufacturing and R&D for plastics industries. Materials Scientists have a broader scope, working with various materials like metals, ceramics, and polymers across multiple industries. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, Polymer Science Engineers specialize in polymers, whereas Materials Scientists have a wider material expertise.

More about Polymer Science Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Polymer Science Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Polymer Science Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Polymer Science Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Polymer Science Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Polymer Science Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,329 per year, or $42.9 per hour.
Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Entegris

Hillsboro, OR

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Entegris rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 534 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Title:

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Job Description:

The Role

Entegris isseekinga highly experienced and innovative Principal Polymer Engineer with deepexpertisein polymermaterial designandprocessingto join our Materials Solutions Division R&D team. This position will be based at our Aurora (Greater Chicago Area) or Hillsboro (Portland, Oregon) facility.

In this role, you will drive the development of next-generation CMP pad technologies by creatingdifferentiated material concepts andbroadeningthe boundaries of current design approaches.You will work cross-functionally withengineering, manufacturing, quality, and external partners totranslate innovative designs intorobust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that create long-term competitiveadvantage.

WhatYou'llDo

Lead material engineering and platform innovation

  • Lead the design and engineering of next-generation polymer material systems for advanced CMP applications, defining formulation strategies and material design space (composition, architecture, and process interactions) to achieve targeted performance and manufacturability.

  • Apply deepexpertisein polymer science and structure-property-process relationships to develop differentiated material concepts and expand current design boundaries.

  • Translate material designs into scalable, manufacturable, and high-performance products by integrating formulation, processing, and engineering principles.

  • Utilize advanced characterization, modeling, and experimental approaches to guide design decisions and accelerate technology development.

  • Translate customer and business needs into robust technical solutions, balancing performance, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and sensitivity to material and process variation.

Solve complex multidisciplinary challenges

  • Lead investigations into material, process, and product performance challenges across development and manufacturing environments.

  • Apply first-principlesthinking, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven methodologies to accelerate learning andoptimizetechnical solutions.

  • Collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to resolve critical technical issues and enable successful commercialization.

Provide technical leadership

  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship across multiple development programs and cross-functional initiatives.

  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, suppliers, customers, and external partners to advance strategic technologyobjectives.

  • Communicate technical strategies, project outcomes, and scientific insights effectively through presentations, reports, and customer interactions.

  • Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

WhatWeSeek

  • Ph.D. with5+ years or M.S. with 8+ years of industrial experience in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, orrelated discipline.

  • Deepexpertisein polymer structure-property-processing-performance relationships and their impact on product functionality,strong intuition in polymer formulation and multi-variable material design, with the ability to navigate trade-offs between performance, processability, and manufacturability

  • Demonstrated experience engineering advanced polyurethane or other high-performance polymer systems for demanding industrial applications.

  • Extensive experience with polymerprocessing and manufacturing technologies, including one or more of casting, molding, foaming, reactive processing, composite fabrication, or other advanced polymer manufacturing methods, with the ability to connect processing conditions to material performance.

  • Hands-on experience with polymer characterization techniques such as DMA, DSC, TGA, rheology, FTIR, microscopy, mechanical testing, or related analytical methods, and the ability toleveragecharacterization data to guide material design and engineering decisions.

  • Proven ability to integrate material composition, architecture, processing, and characterization to develop differentiated, scalable technologies.

  • Strong background in Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven problem solving; experience with predictive modeling or simulation is a plus.

  • Demonstrated success developing technologies from concept through scale-up and commercialization while balancing performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.

  • Track recordof technical innovation, with the ability to challenge conventional approaches and create novel engineering solutions for complex materials problems.

  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills, with experience influencing multidisciplinary teams and strategic technology direction.

  • Experience in CMP or semiconductor materials is preferred but notrequired. Candidates with backgrounds in advanced polymers, elastomers, composites, foams, coatings, or related high-performance material systems are encouraged to apply.

What We Offer:

At Entegris, weinvest in providing opportunity to our employees and promote from within. The new hire in this role will have the potential to grow and create relationships across the organizationand be recognized for demonstrated success and adherence to company PACE values.

Our total rewards package goes above and beyond just a paycheck. Whether you're looking to build your career, improve your health, or protect your wealth, we offer generous benefits to help you achieve your goals.

  • Generous401(K) plan with an impressive employer match

  • Excellenthealth, dental and vision insurance packages to fit your needs

  • Flexible work schedule and 11 paid holidays a year

  • Paid time off (PTO)policy that empowersyouto take the timeyouneed to recharge

  • Education assistance to support your learning journey

  • Values-driven culturewith colleagues that rally around People, Accountability, Creativity and Excellence.

Compensation: $140,000-$186,500, dependent on candidate skillset and experience.

At Entegris we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and applicants. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, and reward employees for their individual abilities, achievements and experience without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital or military status.


What Entegris employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom