Development Scientist/Engineer- Transportation

Position Title: Development Scientist/Engineer- Transportation Reports to: Global Mass Transportation and Building & Construction Leader Direct Reports: N/A FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Americhem, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio or Morrisville, PA    The Development Scientist/Engineer is responsible for leading programs in the development of scalable technology platforms and differentiated new products aligned with strategic growth priorities. The Development Scientist/Engineer works with customers and  internal departments in the development of new products, processes and tests, as well as problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives. Position Requirements/Preferred Qualifications:Education:  Bachelor’s or Advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.S.) in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field.Experience:  10 years plus of relevant work experience developing commerical products in the transportation industry in applications such as automotive, aerospace, recreational and utility vehicles. Experience with polymer processing and compounding required. Functional knowledge of the application of polymeric materials and design of experiments (DOE) methodology and statistical data analysis is required.                                         Skills:  Technical expertise in formulation, material design, and product testing relevant to the assigned market. Strong communication and presentation skills internal and external. Leadership capabilities, including team and project leadership.  Travel:  Periodic travel (up to 20%) to T&I sites, manufacturing plants and customer locations as needed. Essential Duties: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.Platform Technology & Product DevelopmentLead the development of differentiated technology platforms through the evaluation of new materials, additive systems, or formulations that meet segment-specific performance, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.Plan, lead and execute design of experiments, prototype creation, performance testing, and product qualification.Participate on cross-functional teams including Research, Technical Services, Manufacturing, and Process Engineering to ensure feasibility and scale-up readiness.Follow Management of Change protocols when implementing changes or improvements to technology platforms or formulations. Project & Team Management Lead a team of development specialists, scientists and engineers; assign responsibilities, monitor progress, and provide technical guidance.Ensure project timelines, deliverables, and quality expectations are met consistently.Utilize Americhem’s stage-gate process and innovation systems to manage project execution and meet critical milestones.Deliver on key performance metrics / project milestones and continuously improve development workflows so meet critical deliverable timelines.Commercial & Design Team CollaborationParticipate regularly in Stage-Gate reviews, functional and customer update sessions to ensure all project deliverables are met and status is clearly understood.Coordinate with Regional Design Teams for technology transfer, technical documentation, and application-specific adaptation.Participate in customer trials and technical meetings to further relationships and gather application insights for customer needs.Strategic ContributionProvide technical input to strategic plans and segment growth initiatives.Participate in industry specific organizations and keep informed of global technical trends relevant to segment. Monitor competitive technologies and support IP activities in partnership with the Research & IP Strategy team. Additional ResponsibilitiesTalent Development – Continually invest in business and industry knowledge. Improving skills and scientific practice. Assist in identifying new talent and participate in recruitment.Knowledge Management – Ensure robust documentation of formulations, trial outcomes, and platform evolution for global adaptation. Participate in Intellectual Property management activities.Sustainability Integration – Assist with the integration of sustainability targets into platform designs and product technologies (e.g., recyclability, bio-based content, durability). Desired Qualities/Attributes·       Personal accountability and ownership skills.·       Exceptional organizational skills to include multi-tasking, planning, and time management.·       Ability to adjust to ever-changing priorities.·       Exceptional interpersonal, communication, relationship-building, conflict resolution, and collaborative skills.·       Highly motivated.·       Highly collaborative.·       Capacity to own projects from inception to completion; and·       Exceptional problem-solving skills.Safety ComplianceThe safety of our employees takes precedence over all other priorities. All employees are expected to follow Americhem’s current safety protocols, which may evolve over time in response to changing conditions. It is each employee’s responsibility to stay informed and comply with the most up-to-date practices as communicated by the Company. Quality System Adherence Americhem is committed to maintaining world-class quality standards across all operations. All employees are responsible for supporting the principles and requirements of applicable quality systems, including ISO 9001 at all facilities. Depending on site, this may also include ISO 13485, ISO 14001, and ISO 17025. Coordination of ISO 17025 accreditation activities include: developing, modifying, verifying, and validating methods; performing tests and calibration methods; analyzing results, issuing statements of conformity or opinions and interpretations; reporting, reviewing, and authorizing results. Regardless of certification or accreditation, all team members are expected to follow disciplined processes that ensure consistency, traceability, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.