Materials Development Engineer

Company: Ultra-Poly Corporation
Location: Portland
Posted on: February 15, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Ultra-Poly Corporation is hiring! About us: Ultra-Poly Corporation is a pioneer in recycling plastics through innovative manufacturing processes. We are a family owned and operated regional business with our corporate headquarters located in Portland PA. Our work culture is supportive and provides opportunities to grow in an environmentally responsible business. We strive to be and employer that you can be proud to be a part of the team. We have an immediate need for a full time Materials Development Engineer to join our Research & Development team in Portland. Position Summary This position applies fundamental knowledge of basic principles, theories and concepts of industry standards and practices to support activities within both Material Development and Quality Departments. Occasionally assist plant trials for process development work is also required. As the position is part of our innovation group, it requires candidate has a diverse background in the plastic industry with practical mindset and sense of urgency. The position will work with Sales team and owns the customer sampling request process. Customer interaction will be required during material developing phases, matching properties to customer's specification, before handing over to Commercial Department. The candidate will expect to have a "can-do" mindset and able to carry projects independently in an industrial working environment. The role will also support Quality Department to implement changes to testing protocols and new testing procedures. What you can expect to be doing: Develop material (compound) that matches to customer's specification Work and collaborate with Sales and Production during the material development phase Own the sampling request process (monitoring, follow-up, testing, report, logistic, etc.) and drive the performance (development cycle) Perform material evaluations following proper procedures and protocol Operate all instrument and process equipment in the QC office / Lab area Analyze and report results / findings to the stakeholders Conduct and participate internal and external trials. Report the finding and follow-up action plan as needed Support raw material - additives cost reduction works Develop new QC processes and write detailed procedures based on best practices and train QC employees Support and troubleshoot any QC / Lab equipment (instrument and processing equipment) issue Assemble data from manufacturing test results to assist with the detection of significant trends affecting product quality and/or cost Coordinates problem-solving activities within manufacturing regarding customer complaint Assist with troubleshooting of manufacturing problems and recommend corrective action Support both ISO9001 and ISO17025 activities Supports site safety initiatives Attend tradeshows and/or conferences Stay updated on existing and new material & additive technologies Other projects/duties as assigned Position Requirements Bachelor's degree in a related field with 4 years of experience in quality, development, and/or engineering roles of plastic manufacturing environment Experience and knowledge of the use of laboratory equipment Experience in operating both injection molding machine and extruder Ability to develop test reports based on findings Basic knowledge of ISO quality standard and ASTM standard Basic knowledge of statistical analysis Ability to interpret product specifications, blueprints, and perform testing procedures Timely and accurate completion of projects and assignments Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Attention to detail and strong organizational skills (documentation, etc.) Ability to work in a dynamic, team-oriented environment Able to manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Power Point, Word, etc.) Work Environment The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to: Moving mechanical parts Fumes or airborne particles Noise level in the work environment ranges from normal office noise levels to loud noise Employees are required to wear mandatory PPE which may include: Hearing protection when on production floor Steel toe shoes/boots when on production floor Specific gloves when performing specific tasks Eye protection Relocation Assistance is NOT offered for this role! Ultra-Poly is a place where you can stop searching for a job, because you actually found a place where you are comfortable and can begin your next career. Take the next step and apply for one of our openings!

Keywords: Ultra-Poly Corporation, Clifton , Materials Development Engineer, Manufacturing , Portland, New Jersey