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Polymer Science Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Entegris

Material Characterization Scientist

Aurora, IL · On-site

$114K - $144K/yr

PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science or related field required * 3+ years of post-graduate industry experience in polymer structural characterization, mechanical testing and rheology; Successful ...

MonoSol

Senior Scientist Data Science

Chicago, IL · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related technical field; Master's or PhD strongly preferred ...

MonoSol

Senior Scientist Data Science

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130 - $155/hr

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related technical field; Master's or PhD strongly preferred ...

MonoSol

Senior Scientist Process Modeling

Chicago, IL · On-site

$94K - $128K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Physics, or a related technical field; Master's or PhD strongly preferred Experience * 5+ years ...

MonoSol

Senior Scientist Process Modeling

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130 - $155/hr

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Physics, or a related technical field; Master's or PhD strongly preferred Experience * 5+ years ...

Varsity Tutors

Organic Chemistry Tutor

Schaumburg, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Emphasizes mechanistic reasoning over memorization and connects organic chemistry to drug design, polymer science, and biochemistry pathways. * Curriculum Awareness & Adaptive Instruction: Familiar ...

Varsity Tutors

Organic Chemistry Tutor

Naperville, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Emphasizes mechanistic reasoning over memorization and connects organic chemistry to drug design, polymer science, and biochemistry pathways. * Curriculum Awareness & Adaptive Instruction: Familiar ...

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Polymer Science information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$60.3K

$90.5K

$127.2K

How much do polymer science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer science in Chicago, IL is $90,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,800.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is polymer science?

A Polymer Science job involves researching, developing, and testing polymers—large molecules used in plastics, coatings, adhesives, and other materials. Professionals in this field work in industries like aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing to improve product performance and sustainability. They may focus on polymer synthesis, processing, or applications, often collaborating with engineers and chemists.

What are the typical responsibilities in polymer science?

Professionals in Polymer Science often spend their days designing and conducting experiments to synthesize and characterize new polymer materials, analyzing data, and documenting results. You may also collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as product development, engineering, and quality assurance to ensure that materials meet performance and safety standards. Regular tasks can include troubleshooting manufacturing processes, staying up-to-date with scientific literature, and presenting findings to stakeholders. This role offers a dynamic work environment, balancing independent research with teamwork, and often provides significant opportunities for professional growth and specialization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed in polymer science?

To excel in Polymer Science, you need a solid background in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering, often supported by a relevant degree or advanced studies. Familiarity with polymer characterization tools (such as FTIR, DSC, and GPC), laboratory protocols, and data analysis software is crucial for experimental and analytical work. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork are valuable soft skills in this field. These abilities are important to ensure successful research, development, and collaboration in creating and improving polymer materials for a variety of industries.

Is polymer science a good career?

Polymer science is a viable career that involves researching and developing new polymer materials for industries such as healthcare, packaging, and automotive. It typically requires a strong background in chemistry or materials science, with skills in laboratory work and data analysis. Job prospects depend on industry demand and individual qualifications, with opportunities for advancement in research, development, and manufacturing roles.

What does a polymer scientist do?

A polymer scientist researches and develops polymers and related materials, focusing on their chemical properties, structure, and applications. They often work in laboratories, using techniques like spectroscopy and microscopy, and may collaborate with industries such as plastics, textiles, and biomedical devices to create new materials or improve existing ones.

What jobs can you get with a polymer science degree?

A polymer science degree can lead to careers such as polymer chemist, materials scientist, process engineer, quality control analyst, or research scientist in industries like plastics, rubber, textiles, and biomedical materials. These roles often require knowledge of polymer properties, laboratory skills, and familiarity with manufacturing processes and testing methods.

What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer Science jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Polymer Science jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Polymer Science jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Polymer Science jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Polymer Science jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Polymer Science jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Polymer Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymer Science job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,491 per year, or $43.5 per hour.

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Entegris

Aurora, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Entegris rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 544 rated manufacturers

Job description

Job Title:
Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads
Job Description:
The Role
Entegris is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Polymer Engineer with deep expertise in polymer material design and processing to 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 creating differentiated material concepts and broadening the boundaries of current design approaches. You will work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and external partners to translate innovative designs into robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that create long-term competitive advantage.
What You'll Do
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 deep expertise in 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-principles thinking, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven methodologies to accelerate learning and optimize technical 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 technology objectives.

  • 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.

What We Seek
  • Ph.D. with 5+ years or M.S. with 8+ years of industrial experience in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline.

  • Deep expertise in 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 polymer processing 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 to leverage characterization 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 record of 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 not required. 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, we invest 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.
  • Generous 401(K) plan with an impressive employer match

  • Excellent health, dental and vision insurance packages to fit your needs

  • Flexible work schedule and 11 paid holidays a year

  • Paid time off (PTO) policy that empowers you to take the time you need to recharge

  • Education assistance to support your learning journey

  • Values-driven culture with 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.

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