R&d (Engnr/chemist/specia

**Essential Duties & Responsibilities**
- **Formulation Development**:Develop and optimize formulations for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and engineering plastics tailored to end-use articles, ensuring performance consistency and processability.
- **Processing Trials Oversight**:Co-ordinate with processing teams to conduct formulation trials using extrusion, injection molding techniques, ensuring formulation compatibility and process efficiency.
- **Data Interpretation**:Review and interpret mechanical, thermal, and rheological test data to evaluate compound performance and guide formulation adjustments.
- **Technical Documentation**:Analyze experimental data and prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and formulation records to support internal reviews and customer communications.
- **Customer Support & Collaboration**:Work closely with cross-functional teams to address customer complaints, support product improvement initiatives, and ensure timely resolution of technical issues.
- **Root Cause Analysis**:Lead structured problem-solving efforts, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions for processing or performance-related challenges.
- **Technology Scouting**:Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging materials, and innovative technologies to support continuous improvement and innovation.
- **Scale-Up Support**:Facilitate the transition of formulations from lab-scale to pilot and commercial production, ensuring scalability and reproducibility.
- **Compliance & Standards**:Ensure adherence to regulatory standards, internal documentation protocols, and quality systems throughout the development process.

**Required Qualifications & Skills**:
**Technical Expertise**:

- In-depth knowledge of TPE and engineering polymer chemistries, including formulation strategies and performance optimization.
- Practical experience in polymer processing technologies such as extrusion and injection molding.
- Strong understanding of polymer selection, additive technologies (e.g., stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers, compatibilizers etc.,), and their impact on final product properties.
- Proficiency in interpreting material test data, including mechanical, thermal, and rheological results, with a strong grasp of structure-property relationships to guide formulation decisions and product development.
- Familiarity with statistical tools such as Minitab and Excel for data analysis and process control.

**Behavioral & Soft Skills**:

- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities in technical environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly.
- A customer-centric mindset, with a proactive approach to understanding customer needs, providing empathetic support, and delivering tailored solutions.
- High level of adaptability, with readiness to travel and engage directly with customers for technical support, field trials, and collaborative development.
- Ability to work both independently and within cross-functional teams, managing multiple priorities effectively.
- Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to quality and timelines.
- **Education**:Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Polymer Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- **Experience**:Minimum of 3-4 years of relevant industry experience in polymer formulation, processing, and customer technical service.
- **Customer Engagement**:Proven track record in technical support, complaint resolution, and field-level product development, including support for customer trials and end-use part validation.
- **Regulatory Knowledge**:Exposure to industry standards, compliance protocols, and technical documentation practices.