Materials Engineer

Company Description:

Closure Systems International Inc (CSI) is a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative closures for a wide range of applications in consumer and industrial markets. In addition to high quality closures and capping equipment, CSI provides unparalleled customer and technical services for high-speed application systems. Major categories served include carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, juices, isotonics, teas, adult beverages, dairy, foods, pharmaceutical and automotive fluids.

CSI’s cutting-edge closure solutions help customers maximize profits by increasing the marketability of their brands and optimizing their total cost of operations. From reducing the impact of manufacturing operations to an industry-leading suite of sustainable closure profiles, CSI’s sustainability expertise and sustainable product offerings ensure customers stay on top of market trends and consumer demands.

CSI is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, and produces 50 billion closures annually across its 9 manufacturing sites.

Duties and Responsibilities:

CSI is looking for a materials engineer to join the global material science group. This position will report to the director of materials development. The individual will have the responsibility to develop the next generation closure materials. Next generation materials is a subset of two of our six strategic corporate values (sustainability and innovation) for our business and a key part of our future success. Next generation materials include cost savings initiatives, technology enablers and sustainability improvements. Technology enablers are material developments that allow CSI to achieve new value added closure properties and are critical for growth in new markets. CSI is a leader in commercializing sustainability solutions for the closure industry.

1. The individual will have the responsibility for concept to deployment support of R&D projects. 
2. In this role, one will get experience working closely with sales, marketing, manufacturing, engineering, process and performance laboratory, and procurement, as well as external partners such as suppliers and third party laboratories. 
3. The projects will focus on processes and materials used in the manufacture of closures / bottle caps.
4. The skilled candidate will design and develop methods to understand underlying principles, such as polymer structure-property relationships, that dictate the performance of the materials in closures.  
5. The candidate will demonstrate initiative and creativity and will develop materials platforms by formulating and commercializing new polymer blends.
6. The individual will interact across a broad range of levels, expertise, geographic regions as well as stay up-to date on the new developments in technical and patent literature.
7. There will be a focus on project management and deployment for the North America business.
8. The candidate will be responsible for commercialization of key materials initiatives. 
9. The candidate will drive materials qualifications at our plants and our customers, including planning, coordination and execution of molding trials, closure performance testing, and materials testing. 
10. The individual will be responsible to help with root cause analysis of material quality issues.  
11. The position will be located out of Crawfordsville, IN, which is close to both West Lafayette and Indianapolis.

Educational and Other Skill Requirements:

• B.S. or an M.S. degree with experience in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science or related discipline
• 2-5 years of expertise in polyolefin  polymers (LLDPE, HDPE, PP, EVA) and polyolefin blends, plastic packaging, polymer additives, color science, polymer composites, and/or polymer processing
• Hands on experience in polymer blends development
• Experience in analytical testing methods including DSC, FTIR, GC-MS, permeability testing, polymer mechanical property testing is desired
• Knowledge of injection and compression molding is desired
• Knowledge and previous experience in the caps and closures market is desired
• Self-driven, hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving
• Intellectual curiosity, innovative outlook and ability to develop new material platforms
• Ability to organize and focus activities around diverse program needs
• Project management skills with proven track record of successfully leading projects from concept to deployment.
• Knowledge and use of design for six sigma / statistical data analysis with respect to R&D is preferred
• Good interpersonal communication skills for working within a matrix team environment
• Clear communication and knowledge of Spanish is a plus
• 8 hour days, with occasional after hours work; 10% travel