Printing Process Engineer

Job Title: Printing Process Engineer

Job Description

This contract role offers an experienced Printing Process Engineer the opportunity to lead end-to-end development of advanced printing processes on polymer substrates, with a strong focus on polyurethane and rubber/elastomer materials. You will drive a rebranding initiative across multiple product lines by designing and implementing durable, high-quality, full-color graphics solutions for consumer-facing products used in demanding, outdoor environments. The position combines deep technical expertise in adhesion science, surface treatment, and printing technologies with hands-on process engineering, from concept and prototyping through to scalable production.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of end-to-end printing process flows on polymer substrates, including preparation, printing, curing, and post-treatment steps.
• Design and optimize printing processes specifically for polyurethane, rubber, and elastomer-based products, ensuring strong adhesion and long-term durability.
• Analyze and manage the interplay between materials and printing processes, with a focus on low surface energy substrates and their adhesion challenges.
• Evaluate and implement various printing technologies, with a strong emphasis on inkjet printing and thermal transfer or similar methods, to determine the most suitable approach for each application.
• Develop new printing solutions from scratch where existing methods do not meet branding or performance requirements, treating the work as a true research and development initiative.
• Apply and refine surface treatment techniques such as plasma, corona treatment, and primer or chemical surface preparation to enhance adhesion.
• Leverage a strong grounding in adhesion science to troubleshoot issues, improve bond strength, and ensure consistent print quality under weathering and UV exposure.
• Work on printing solutions for durable or outdoor graphics, ensuring resistance to environmental factors while maintaining high-quality aesthetics.
• Support consumer-facing product branding upgrades by delivering visually appealing, full-color graphics that align with design and marketing goals.
• Scale successful printing processes from prototype to full production, including documentation, process control, and transfer to manufacturing environments.
• Collaborate with plant personnel, suppliers, and other stakeholders during site visits to implement and refine printing processes on production equipment.
• Contribute technical insights from industries such as sporting goods, tire and rubber manufacturing, or other polymer-heavy product environments to inform best practices and innovation.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 12 years of experience in printing process engineering or closely related fields.
• Deep experience printing on polymer substrates, particularly polyurethane (PU) and rubber or elastomer materials.
• Strong understanding of material and process interplay, especially as it relates to printing performance and adhesion.
• Expertise in addressing adhesion challenges on low surface energy materials.
• Hands-on experience with inkjet printing technologies, highly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with thermal transfer printing or similar processes.
• Experience working with multiple printing technologies and not being limited to a single method.
• Proven ability to develop complete process flows from preparation through printing, curing, and post-treatment.
• Strong grounding in adhesion science, including the principles that govern bonding to polymers and elastomers.
• Practical experience with surface treatments such as plasma and corona treatment.
• Experience using primers or chemical surface preparation methods to improve adhesion.
• Background working with durable or outdoor graphics that must withstand weathering and UV exposure.
• Experience supporting consumer-facing product aesthetics and branding upgrades.
• Demonstrated success in scaling processes from prototype to production in a manufacturing environment.
• Industry experience in sporting goods, tire or rubber manufacturing, or other polymer-heavy product environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience contributing to high-visibility rebranding initiatives across multiple product lines.
• Familiarity with full-color graphics printing on complex geometries or challenging substrates.
• Exposure to international manufacturing or supplier networks, including coordination of technical activities across different sites.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and branding or marketing stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a research and development mindset, with the ability to create new solutions where no proven approach exists.
• Comfort working in environments similar to major tire, rubber, or sporting goods manufacturers and adapting best practices from those industries.

Work Environment

This is a contract role typically spanning 6 to 12 months, focused on delivering a rebranding initiative across two major product lines. The work centers on rubber and polymer-based products where existing printing solutions, such as inkjet and thermal transfer, are not meeting current branding requirements. You will operate in a true research and development environment, where no proven solution yet exists for achieving durable, high-quality, full-color graphics on challenging substrates. The role offers a mix of remote work and on-site engagement, with travel up to approximately 25% to production plants, supplier facilities, and potentially international locations. You will work closely with manufacturing teams and suppliers, often in polymer-heavy production environments similar to those found in sporting goods, tire, and rubber industries, using advanced printing, curing, and surface treatment equipment to develop and scale robust printing processes.

This is a Contract position based out of Denver, CO.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $57.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $30 - $57