Summary: Develop and implement hose materials (automotive and other) formulations (into production) which meet and exceed internal and external customer expectations. Provide technical support to our customers (automotive and others), manufacturing and sales.

Essential Tasks (Responsibilities):

* Observes all safety rules and company regulations

* Ensures conformance with environmental, health and safety regulations and practices.

* Develop new and improved materials and formulations to meet customer or company specifications recommending the optimum process and equipment.

* Maintain product, process, and material knowledge through coordination of sample builds, engineering analysis, and testing.

* Enhance current products, specifications, validation procedures and FMEA's to reflect changing customer requirements to continuously improve product performance and product costs through designs, processes, and/or material.

* Create material test plans, lab work orders, material DVP and material test reports as needed to satisfy requests from customers, both internal and external..

* Investigate and develop specific actions on issues, problems, and opportunities as identified by Production, Quality Control, suppliers or customers utilizing formal problem solving skills.

* Coordinate and/or participate on assigned projects utilizing project management techniques in order to ensure cross functional participation and project is on track. Maintain project files and provide regular updates.

* Provide estimates, engineering analysis, and guidance in the process of cost estimating requests on improved and/or new products in order to capture new sales.

* Serve on selected technical committees and attend technical conferences that will provide future design and performance guidelines for automotive hose products and support the company's image.

* Investigate and report on advanced polymers/other raw materials and identify potential hose compound improvement opportunities.

* Aggressively push the continuous improvement process within the Tech Center. Present personal development ideas to the team and offer suggestions on how to better satisfy our internal and external customers.

* The Product Chemist is accountable for the design of hose materials so that they meet all customer and FRS specifications.

Additional Responsibilities (other requirements):

* The incumbent works closely with Product Engineers, Sales, Application Engineering, Manufacturing, Customers, and outside suppliers to ensure that the materials meet all specifications and are developed in time to meet all deadlines.

* Technical service to the customer includes oral and written communication at the engineering level. Formal presentations are essential.

* The incumbent provides assistance to manufacturing to assure processability and quality of hose products. Project definitions and assignments are made throughout the year and are revised as required. The level of completion of these projects and the ability to resolve problems as they arise are the key elements to success.

* Key interactions involve the Product Development Manager, Product Engineers, and Chemists, Production Associates, QA, Lab Personnel, Process Engineering, Pilot Plant personnel, Sales/Marketing, Application Engineering, Customers, and Suppliers.

* Makes all decisions related to the design of materials and formulas and how to meet the timeline in regard to design and testing. Receives direction from the customer directly as well as through Sales, Product Development Engineering and Application Engineering.

* Works with Pilot Plant and Lab Technicians so that prototypes and testing are completed within the specified timeline and also explains how new components are to be assembled and new testing performed.

* Works with the customer and Product Development Engineer/Application Engineer to better define specifications and answer any questions concerning the design or function of the component or system. Works closely with production to set-up new compound specs.

Education, Training, Experience Required:

* The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or Material Science discipline and one to seven years related experience.

* Prefer a thorough knowledge of automotive material and product validation approval processes.

* Prefer a thorough knowledge of rubber mixing and ASTM test methods.

Physical Requirements:

* standing * reaching *

* walking * lifting *

* climbing/squatting * push/pull *

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Lexington, TN: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person