Job Description
Job Title: Chemical Engineer - Pressure Sensitive Tape Manufacturing (Hot Melt Adhesives)
Location: Marietta, OH
Experience Level: 2-10 years
About the Role We are seeking a highly motivated
Chemical Engineer with hands-on experience in
pressure sensitive tape (PST) manufacturing , ideally in
hot-melt adhesive formulation and coating processes. This role supports the full lifecycle of product development-from lab-scale experimentation through pilot coating and full-scale manufacturing on roll-to-roll coaters up to 62" wide. The ideal candidate is comfortable balancing technical development, scale-up engineering, quality control, and cross-functional project management in a fast-paced production environment.
Key Responsibilities Product Development & Scale-Up - Develop and refine hot-melt and pressure sensitive adhesive tape constructions , focusing on product performance, manufacturability, and cost.
- Lead product development projects from concept through commercialization.
- Design and run DOE studies , lab evaluations, and pilot coater trials.
- Translate lab-scale results to pilot and full-scale manufacturing, ensuring successful process scale-up and product transition.
Coating & Manufacturing Operations
- Support roll-to-roll adhesive coating processes ranging from small pilot machines to full-width 62" production coaters .
- Optimize coating parameters, support material trials, and troubleshoot coating defects or process variability.
- Work closely with production teams to develop standard operating conditions , improve uptime, and enhance product consistency.
Quality & Testing
- Specify mechanical, adhesion, rheological, and aging testing on pressure sensitive tape products.
- Develop quality specifications, test methods, and control plans .
- Partner with Quality and Operations to identify root causes of product or process issues and implement corrective/preventive actions.
Project Management
- Lead multi-disciplinary projects involving R&D, operations, quality, procurement, and customer teams.
- Maintain timelines, documentation, resource planning, and communication around project milestones.
- Coordinate vendor trials, raw material qualifications, and customer sample programs.
- Work directly with some customers to develop and scale-up custom products
Technical Support
- Provide technical expertise for customer inquiries, product troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering , Materials Science, Polymer Science, or related field.
- 2-10 years of experience in pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot-melt adhesive manufacturing, tape production, or related roll-to-roll coating industries.
- Hands-on experience with:
- Hot-melt adhesives (formulation or processing)
- Roll-to-roll coating equipment
- Pilot-scale to full-scale process transfer
- Pressure-sensitive tape testing and evaluation
- Demonstrated project management skills, with ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and experimental design skills.
- Working knowledge of statistical tools (DOE, Minitab, SPC) is a plus.
Preferred Experience (Not Required)
- Experience with slot die adhesive coating methods.
- Experience operating advanced analytical equipment: DSC, Rheometers, TGA
- Knowledge of PSA chemistry (rubber, acrylic, UV cure).
- Experience in ISO or similar regulated manufacturing environments.
Job Tags
Full time,