Product Development Engineer

Department: Innovation & Technology

Location: Pittsburgh, PA (Hybrid)

Travel Involved: 10-20%

Job Type: Full-Time

The Product Development Engineer will work to provide next-generation material solutions that create value for Braskem’s customers. Critical activities will include serving as the project leader for multiple development projects, coordinating trials, and gathering and interpreting data to better understand structure-property polymer relationships.

This individual will work in close coordination with the rest of the Global Product Development team, Product Management, Sales and Technical Service, Manufacturing, and other Innovation & Technology teams, i.e., Global Labs, Process Technology, and Catalyst Technology.

Create client value by developing differentiated polyolefin product solutions. Specific responsibilities include:

• Developing next-generation product solutions that create competitive advantage and support business needs
• Creating new product ideas and concepts that connect technology potential to market value
• Managing projects and leading project teams through Braskem’s innovation stage-gate process
• Developing strong working relationships with Technical Service, Catalyst, Process Technology, Commercial/Sales, Product Management, and Manufacturing teams
• Collaborating with Braskem Manufacturing teams in trial preparation and support trials as needed
• Continuously expanding on technical proficiency and expertise within the industry
• Developing models and defining mechanisms that accelerate commercialization of new product solutions, elevate technology understanding, and improve knowledge transfer
• Identifying and developing appropriate screening tools and test methodologies to validate product concepts
• Extending product solutions to platform technologies that can be utilized across markets and customers

• Bachelors or Masters in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Material Engineering, Plastics Engineering Technology, and Material Science, with 5-10 years of industry experience. 
• Strong technical and critical thinking skills with good engineering design fundamentals.
• Must possess strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Experienced in project management, capable and willing to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to identify opportunities, define problems and targets, collect and interpret data, establish facts, draw sound conclusions, validate results, and execute solutions.
• Must be team and results-oriented, able to lead, implement and validate the success of new technology improvements and progress the projects.
• Ability to continually want to develop new skill sets and technical proficiencies, guided through on the job training, senior team member mentorship, and learnings within the company and industry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong computer skills for data analysis, project management, and collaborative workspaces. 
• Must be self-motivated, responsive, and proactive while working well in cross-functional teams.

• Prior product development experience in polyolefins is preferred especially polypropylene.