Senior R&D Engineer

Job Description

Senior R&D Engineer

We’re actively recruiting a Senior R&D Engineer. Reporting to the Head of R&D, we’re seeking a passionate R&D Engineer. The main goal of this role is to conduct research projects to develop new polymeric material formulations that are compostable and targeted for rigid or flexible applications.

Location

Mississauga/GTA, Canada

About us

erthos® Inc. is a climate technology company specializing in sustainable material design, with a focus on rapidly reducing the global dependency on plastics by accelerating the scale and widespread adoption of biomaterials. At erthos®, we harness the power of AI, biomaterials, and advocacy to reimagine the building blocks of plastics for the world's largest CPGs and material companies. Join our dynamic team of experts and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in materials science through AI.

Role Overview:

As an ideal candidate, you are an engineer with proven skills in conducting scientific research, collecting data and performing analysis. Your background demonstrates knowledge in polymers and polymer composites, especially compostable resins as well as different additives used in the industry. You are experienced in operating a variety of polymer processing machines and you’re avid in learning the operation of new equipment. Your organizational, communication, and time management skills are second to none and you enjoy developing solutions that push innovative boundaries.

In this role you will be responsible for the following key areas:

• Complying with all safety requirements of the work environment including wearing PPE and following safe machine operation and materials handling protocols.
• Conducting and summarizing scientific literature survey and patent search.
• Identifying new and/or existing raw materials (e.g. polymers, fillers, coupling agents, compatibilizers, lubricants, processing aids, pigments, etc.) for producing polymeric and polymer composite materials with specific end characteristics.
• Conducting pilot production studies to identify mass production routes of resins from the developed material formulations.
• Providing technical support to partners/customers for using erthos’ developed resins in their injection molding and thermoforming manufacturing lines.
• Design of Experiments (DOE) and conducting application oriented R&D projects to meet goals and milestones.
• Starting up, operating and shutting down polymer processing equipment. Recording and analyzing data statistically to identify improvement opportunities based on given criteria.
• Preparing project reports and weekly progress updates.
• Preparing standard operating procedures.
• Providing support in other innovation projects of the company including scaling up company's ingredients as well as the development of company's AI platform.
• Providing support in handling raw materials and stocked inventory.
• Providing support in sourcing materials, supplies and consumables as needed.

About you

• You are result driven and accomplishment oriented.
• Master’s Degree or PhD in Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or related fields.
• Proven background in engineering R&D projects in the field of compostable polymers and compostable polymer composites. Experience in coating and lamination for barrier packaging is a bonus.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in fast-paced industrial projects. Relevant postdoc experience will be considered.
• Highly experienced with the operation of a variety of polymer processing machines such as extruders, batch mixers, injection and compression molding machines, etc.
• Ability to quickly grasp function and operations of new equipment.
• Patent publishing and drafting experience is necessary.
• Working knowledge of statistical data analysis and the related software tools available.
• Detailed planning and time-management skills.
• Great organizational, documentation and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Comfortable with a mix of both desk and physical work (regular bending, twisting and lifting up to 50 lbs) on a daily basis.
• Fluent in English.

Perks

• Competitive compensation package
• A dynamic and supportive work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• The chance to work on groundbreaking technology that addresses critical environmental challenges

Our team is built on diversity and our uniqueness is our strength. We value our entire team's backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We strive to be the best team players we can be and have fun while doing it.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Industrial R&D project: 5 years (required)
• compostable plastic R&D: 3 years (required)
• plastic barrier packaging R&D: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person