Materials Engineer - Product Development (Plastics)

ilocatum is hiring a Materials Engineer for product development focused on advanced materials, including plastics. This onsite role in Bethlehem, PA supports projects from early concept through full production, combining hands-on materials work with cross-functional collaboration. The position offers $120,000 to $150,000 per year plus relocation assistance for qualified candidates, along with a benefits package that includes healthcare, time off, and retirement support.

What you’ll do

In this role, you will help develop and qualify new products, materials, and components by partnering across engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales, and marketing. You will develop polymer formulations, assess performance, and manage the path from prototypes to testing, validation, and pilot production runs.

• Develop and evaluate new products, materials, and components
• Support product design from concept through commercialization
• Create polymer formulations and evaluate material performance
• Coordinate prototyping, testing, validation, and pilot production runs
• Conduct and interpret thermal, mechanical, and chemical testing, including FTIR, DMA, DSC, TGA, and tensile testing
• Troubleshoot design, material, tolerance, and manufacturing issues
• Participate in supplier selection, tooling, and cost evaluations
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional design reviews
• Prepare technical documentation and product training materials
• Collaborate with internal teams and outside suppliers throughout the work

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• 3+ years of experience with plastics, polymers, materials, product design, or plastics processing
• Working knowledge of thermoplastic and thermoset materials, materials testing, and failure analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 25%

Tools and experience that help

• FTIR, DMA, DSC, TGA, tensile testing, Microsoft Office
• Preferred: FEA experience with Abaqus or ANSYS
• Preferred: experience with Moldflow Insight
• Technologies used: Abaqus, ANSYS, Moldflow Insight

Compensation and benefits

• $120,000 to $150,000 per year
• Medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Company paid disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates

Schedule: Full time, on site in Bethlehem, PA.