Staff Engineer - Polymers

Our client, a leading manufacturer of disposable food packaging products, is seeking a Staff Engineer to join their team.

As the Staff Engineer, you’ll play a critical technical leadership role advancing polypropylene (PP) and related polymers that redefine performance, sustainability, and manufacturability in food and beverage packaging.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for a seasoned polymer expert who thrives at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing, and business outcomes. You’ll own innovation from raw material selection and structure–property–function relationships through processing, manufacturing, and end-use performance, with a strong focus on in‑line thermoforming (post‑trim and trim‑in‑place) and injection molding. Your influence will extend across cup, lid, and container platforms spanning PP, PET, and polystyrene, while collaborating on hybrid solutions involving paper substrates and molded fiber.

Location: Mason, MI or Randleman, NC
*If you are unable to be based at one of our facility locations (Mason, MI | Randleman NC), this position is available as a remote role. Please note that remote work requires 60–70% travel to our facilities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert leadership in polypropylene and polymer materials science and manufacturing, driving processing optimization (property structure function) and superior packaging performance.
• Lead optimization efforts of materials for in-line thermoforming and injection molding while supporting other key manufacturing technologies for cups, lids, and containers across PP and adjacent polymers.
• Analyze complex multi-plant production data, translate insights into decisive recommendations, and own implementation from concept to verified commercial outcomes.
• Mentor and elevate colleagues in other functions in polymer characterization (rheology, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and related methods).
• Develop and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships with innovation, operations, manufacturing, and specialists in paper substrates and molded fiber to accelerate integrated solutions.
• Track competitive landscapes, industry trends, and emerging material innovations; convert foresight into strategic opportunities that position the company for future success.
• Apply disciplined organizational and project management expertise to shepherd high-priority initiatives from ideation through commercialization quickly.

Qualifications

• Requires one of the following:
  • Master’s degree with an emphasis in Engineering in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field
  • Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Engineering in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field
• 10+ years of industrial experience with polypropylene in food and beverage packaging applications or related engineering experience
• Hands-on expertise and demonstrated success in in-line thermoforming (post-trim and trim-in-place) and injection molding for PP + other polymeric materials, plus working knowledge of other cup, lid, and container processes.
• Proven track record in polymer characterization, property structure function driven outcomes, multi-site data analysis, and mentoring technical professionals.
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration, project leadership, and end-to-end ownership of impactful results.
• Solid understanding of competitive dynamics and emerging trends in polymers, paper substrates, and molded fiber packaging.
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
• Advanced knowledge of materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of products
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to successfully prioritize, and organize long-term, complex research and development projects, deadlines, and tasks in both team and independent environments
• Excellent verbal and written skills necessary to communicate intricate job-related information and clearly explain options and solutions to internal and external customers
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, additional travel may be required during critical projects or business demands
• Work is split between an office environment, lab environment or production facility depending on the project
• Experience using Microsoft Office, including the ability to create reports, documents, presentations and spreadsheets in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of new sustainable chemistries and processes, including recyclability, EPR regulations and bio-based materials.
• Demonstrated innovation through patents, publications, or commercialized products.

TRS Staffing Solutions are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome you to provide OFCCP data voluntarily here