Technical Engineer (Entry Level)

Job Title: Technical Engineer

Reports to: Manger- Customer Support and Information Systems

Department: R&D

FLSA: FT/Exempt

Travel requirements: Less than 10%

Compensation: $70,000-$80,000 (Compensation decisions are dependent on the specific details and circumstances of each hire such as experience, skills, and education.)

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (Flexible)

Who we are

MSI Technology, L.L.C.

MSI Technology specializes in the sales, marketing, and development of specialty polymers. We market Plexar tie-layer adhesives (manufactured by LyondellBasell), SPS peelable sealants, and SpeciPurge purging resins to global markets.

Soarus, L.L.C.

Soarus, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Group, is the sales, marketing, and R&D arm for acetyl resins in North and South America. Soarus’ main products are Soarnol (EVOH copolymer), Gohsenx (Specialty PVOH), and Nichigo G-Polymer.

Together, Soarus L.L.C. and MSI Technology L.L.C., located in Arlington Heights, IL, provide a one-stop shop for specialty polymers.

Job Description

Provides technical support and general laboratory tasks to assist the Research & Development team with product development, testing, design, and manufacturing specialty plastics such as tie resin and EVOH focusing on multilayer packaging. 

Adheres to company safety, health, and security practices, policies, and procedures while fulfilling work responsibilities. Partners with management to support safety initiatives to ensure the organization is in compliance with laws, regulations, and company policies. Responsible for ensuring ethical conduct and compliance with federal, state, local, and parent company regulatory requirements. 

Essential Role Responsibilities:

• Performs various tasks in the R&D laboratory such as testing requirements, projects, tasks, analysis, information testing and other responsibilities  
• Assist with creating new materials or improvement of existing materials by monitoring chemical reactions, tests, evaluate test results, complete and preserve records, and submit detailed reports
• Document final analytical test findings for new product development and compound fabrication final test results  
• Operate polymer plastics scale processing equipment in the laboratory maintaining a clean and functional work area
• Set up, calibrate, and operate devices to obtain data for interpretation and comparison during product development process
• Partner with the R&D team to conduct information testing, testing samples for analysis, and research on fabrication equipment to determine the feasibility of products and service launches  
• Analyze products and schematics to detect process or material improvements for new and old products
• Perform regular maintenance and repairs on processing equipment and troubleshoot and fix equipment 
• Assist in laboratory equipment upgrades on existing equipment
• Responsible for storage room organization and electronic material inventory and procurement of new raw materials
• Maintain and ensure compliance of company with all safety policies and to maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all materials in inventory
• Monitor and improve the efficiency and output of R&D product development work and contribute to continuous improvement efforts on safety as a member of the R&D safety team
• Ensure that OSHA, Environmental Health and Company Safety policies and procedures are adhered to during the normal operation of work responsibilities and while operating fabrication equipment in the laboratory

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering or relevant related field

Preferred:

One (1) to three years (3) prior work experience in relevant work capacity in the plastics industry

General knowledge in electronics and/or computer controls preferred

Additional Qualifications:

Ability to manage in a fast paced, challenging environment while remaining focused on obtaining objectives is a must. Leadership across varied projects and teams essential. Coordination and ability to drive results across other functions is essential. Project management and Financial management skills necessary. Experience with laboratory equipment such as FTIR, DSC, digital microscopes as well as mechanical testing equipment desired. Experience with plastics processing equipment (cast/blown film and compounding).

- Knowledge of adhesive formulation.

- Familiar with manufacturing process development and optimization.

- Familiar with techniques and equipment’s for measuring and analyzing various material properties.

- Creative mindset, passion for learning and action.

- Ability to act independently and lead research teams.

- Hands-on experience of production and testing equipment’s for adhesive material.

- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.  

- Technologically savvy with proficiency in MS Office for data collection, interpretation, and documentation.  

Benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision

HSA/FSA

401k with Mutual of America

401k employer matching

Voluntary Insurance

MetLife Legal Plan

Pet Insurance Program

MetLife Voluntary Supplemental Insurance (Self and Dependents): Voluntary Disability, Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Disclosures

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs., and move about the facility. Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment. In addition, this position requires a computer, intermittent standing, walking, sitting, squatting, stretching, and bending throughout the workday. Must be able to see, talk and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

AAP/EEO Statement: MSI Technology, L.L.C. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and prohibits any form of discrimination towards applicants and employees; in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, and other aspects of employment, based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, alienage, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, military status, status as a covered veteran or any other protected classification per applicable federal, state and local laws. Religious discrimination includes failing to reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious practices where the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

At-Will Employment: Employees of the Company are employed on an “At-will” basis. At-will employment means that either the Company or the employee may terminate the employment relationship, with or without cause or prior notice. Other than the President of the Company, and only if and to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a standalone written employment agreement specific to a particular employee and signed by such employee and the President, the relationship is one of voluntary employment that is terminable at will by either the Company or an employee.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Arlington Heights, IL 60004: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person