Chemical Application Engineer

Parker Hannifin - Erie, PA

Full-time

Erie, PA

Machinery Manufacturing

About the position

The Chemical Application Engineer will create value for our global customer base by providing direct technical and application engineering support for the product lines of the Elastomer Process Materials (EPM) division. This includes RTS adhesives (Chemlok), coatings (Sipiol), flock adhesives (Flocklok), chemical products, and specialty materials. The incumbent must be a highly motivated, self-starter with an attention to detail, excellent communication, and time management skills. The role involves providing technical and application engineering support through on-site visits to customer locations and via teleconferencing. The engineer will travel to customer locations to troubleshoot application issues, conduct trials, perform process optimization audits, and provide product training. Hands-on technical laboratory and operational support will be provided on multiple Laboratory Service Requests (LSR). The engineer will utilize standard or prescribed procedures/routines, application equipment, instrumentation, along with the appropriate adhesives, coatings, and chemicals to complete laboratory evaluations. Additionally, the engineer will establish and complete test matrices, operate lab and application equipment, analyze data, and report findings/trends via laboratory reports while providing recommendations to customers. Developing working relationships with equipment suppliers and assisting with the qualification of appropriate equipment is also a key responsibility. The role requires making adaptations and modifications of experimental procedures as needed, including suggestions regarding formulations, samples, methods, and equipment. A high level of customer engagement is expected, along with the ability to work directly with customers, Parker Lord Distributors, commercial teams, and supportive functions such as QA, Global Trade Compliance, and Marcomm. The engineer will communicate and collaborate with team members in a fast-paced environment to accomplish goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and application engineering support for the product lines of the Elastomer Process Materials (EPM) division.
• Travel to customer locations to troubleshoot application issues, conduct trials, and provide product training.
• Provide hands-on technical laboratory and operational support on multiple Laboratory Service Requests (LSR).
• Use standard procedures and application equipment to complete laboratory evaluations.
• Establish and complete test matrices; operate lab and application equipment.
• Analyze data and report findings/trends via laboratory reports and provide recommendations to customers.
• Develop working relationships with equipment suppliers and assist with the qualification of appropriate equipment.
• Make adaptations and modifications of experimental procedures as needed.
• Provide a high level of customer engagement and work directly with customers and commercial teams.
• Communicate and collaborate with team members in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering.
• 2 - 5 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Ability to travel (by vehicle or airline) up to 30%, both domestic and global as needed.
• Ability to perform hands-on work in a chemical laboratory.
• Operate all standard equipment and apparatus, as well as some specialized equipment.
• Independently work in the lab in a safe and efficient manner.
• Collaborate on cross-functional teams on a daily basis.
• Skilled with computerized equipment, electronic databases, and Microsoft software packages (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Demonstrates good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to accurately record data and report findings/trends via laboratory reports.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in elastomer bonding of automotive & industrial parts.
• Experience with supportive functions such as metal preparation, rubber processing, adhesive/coating application, and molding equipment.
• Experience with automotive OE test specifications; ASTM and SAE test protocols.
• Knowledge of formulation skills, dispersion of solids in liquids, and rheology.
• The use of statistical methods & experimental design programs.