Principal Chemical Engineer

Plascore - Zeeland, MI

Full-time - Senior

Zeeland, MI

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

About the position

Plascore Inc, a leading producer of Honeycomb composites, is seeking a Principal Chemical Engineer or Chemist to join their innovative team in Zeeland, MI. This role is pivotal in the research and development of structural adhesives, where the successful candidate will leverage their extensive technical knowledge and experience to drive product development and project execution. The Principal Chemical Engineer will serve as a scientific advisor to Plascore leadership, addressing a wide range of technical and manufacturing challenges. This position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure that product designs meet customer specifications and industry standards. In this role, the Principal Chemical Engineer will be responsible for designing and supervising the development of structural adhesives and surface treatments for aluminum and other substrates. The engineer will plan, organize, and execute research and development projects, developing test programs to assess product compatibility under various chemical exposures. Additionally, the engineer will operate chemical analysis and characterization lab equipment, interpreting results to inform research and development efforts. Writing process instructions and test methods for manufacturing adhesives and chemical materials will also be a key responsibility. The Principal Chemical Engineer will lead problem-solving initiatives and root cause analysis investigations, ensuring the quality and consistency of adhesives, resins, and substrates. Safety is paramount, and the engineer will monitor all operations involving chemicals, training operators on safety procedures. The role also involves recommending and evaluating equipment for the manufacturing and application of adhesives and chemical materials, serving as the primary contact for emissions and chemical regulatory matters. The engineer will participate in continuous improvement efforts for products, processes, equipment, and methods, performing all reasonably related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Design and supervise the development of structural adhesives and surface treatments of aluminum and other substrates.
• Plan, organize, and execute research and development on new or existing projects, products, or processes.
• Develop test programs to determine compatibility of products under various chemical exposures.
• Develop and determine chemical solutions for the surface treatment of materials to be coated and/or bonded.
• Operate chemical analysis and characterization lab equipment and interpret results for application in research, development and problem-solving efforts.
• Write process instructions for the manufacturing of adhesives and other chemical materials.
• Write test methods and specifications for chemical materials and processes.
• Lead or support problem solving and root cause analysis investigations as needed.
• Evaluate quality and consistency of adhesives, resins, and substrates.
• Monitor safety on all operations involving chemicals and train operators on safety procedures.
• Recommend and evaluate equipment for the manufacturing and application of adhesives and chemical materials.
• Serve as contact person for all emissions and chemical regulatory matters.
• Act as a scientific advisor to all Business Unit Managers.
• Participate in improving our product, processes, equipment, and methods.
• Perform all reasonably related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Subject Matter Expert in structural adhesives specifically to epoxy and phenolic chemistries.
• Strong background with adhesive bonding aluminum, polymer composites, and other structural materials.
• Experience with application of these materials specific to Aerospace, Defense, or Transportation industries.
• 10+ years of experience specific to Structural Adhesives research, development, and applications.
• Completed 4-year degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.
• MS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or similar specialized field preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive work experience in the chemical field.
• 20+ years of progressive work experience in chemical field preferred.
• Must be able to work independently.
• High analytical skills.
• Ability to find solutions to unusual and difficult problems.
• Must be eligible to work on programs subject to ITAR Regulations.

Benefits

• Bonus Programs
• $1,200 Sign-On Bonus - Paid in monthly increments.
• $1,200 Employee Referral Bonus - Paid in monthly increments.
• Profit Sharing Bonus - Paid out each quarter.
• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) with Flex Spending or Health Savings Accounts
• New Hires are eligible for health insurance benefits on day one!
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid vacation & Unpaid leave
• 10 weeks of paid vacation for 11th year (4 weeks of paid vacation awarded for 10 years of service + 6 weeks earned)
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(K) & Roth IRA
• 50% match up to 6% for all participating employees.
• Tuition Reimbursement for job-related and certificate programs
• Flex Spending Account for childcare
• Tri-Share childcare program
• Annual company picnic
• Annual golf outing
• Annual holiday party
• White-Caps baseball ticket raffles
• Clean work environment
• Smooth pace of work
• Family owned and operated.
• Security of work for an established, growing company that serves a diverse customer base.
• Bi-Weekly Pay