**R&D Engineering Manger (2083)**

+ Title:R&D Engineering Manger

+ Group Company: Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials

+ Location:Mesa, AZ

+ Employment Type:Full time

Group Company:

+ Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials

Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 20 countries and more than 2,800 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a broad variety of customer markets. The Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Group is well prepared to further expand its market leadership position.

Supporting the vision of our holding company, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC) (http://www.mitsubishichem-hd.co.jp/english/index.html) , Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials is committed to the realization of KAITEKI, “a sustainable condition which is comfortable for people, society and the Earth”. To realize this vision, the MCHC Group engages in corporate activities that provide products, technologies and services based on the comprehensive capabilities of the Group in the Performance Products Domain, Industrial Materials Domain and Health Care Domain, with chemistry as the basis of our activities. We jointly express and promote our commitment under the corporate brand THE KAITEKI COMPANY.

Job Purpose

Lead a cross-functional R&D engineering team in the research, development, and scale-up of advanced polymer and composite technologies.

This role is responsible for technical execution, safety leadership, innovation, and commercial readiness of new materials and processes.

The Manager will oversee development programs from concept to commercialization, build a high-performing team, and align development efforts with business objectives and strategic growth initiatives.

Principal Accountabilities

**Team Leadership & Development**

+ Lead the research and development of novel composite and polymer systems, optimizing for mechanical strength, impact resistance, fatigue durability, thermal stability, and chemical compatibility.

+ Utilize AI-driven materials informatics and high-throughput computational screening to accelerate the discovery of next-generation polymer compounds, fiber reinforcements, and nanocomposites.

+ Oversee multi-scale physics-based simulations, integrating finite element modeling (FEM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), to predict material behavior in real-world applications.

+ Utilize advanced rheology, spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques to analyze material interactions at microstructural and nanoscale levels, ensuring superior material performance.

+ Integrate bio-based and recyclable polymer alternatives, aligning R&D efforts with MCG global sustainability initiatives and circular economy principles.

**Product & Technology Development**

+ Drive execution of new product and material development initiatives, ensuring technical feasibility, application fit, and performance against customer-defined and regulatory criteria.

+ Lead structured experimentation using DOE and other statistical methods to identify key variables, optimize product attributes, and validate consistency.

+ Ensure alignment with business strategy by prioritizing high-impact programs and focusing team efforts on market-relevant innovations.

**Process Engineering & Scale-up**

+ Oversee the scale-up of formulations from bench or pilot scale to full production, coordinating closely with process engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.

+ Identify and implement manufacturing processes that support quality, throughput, and cost-efficiency goals.

+ Develop and execute process validation protocols, and monitor critical-to-quality parameters during trials and production ramp-up.

+ Support root cause investigations during process upsets or customer complaints, applying structured problem-solving to drive resolution and continuous improvement.

**Project & Portfolio Management**

+ Manage all assigned projects within the NPI/Theme or other gated development systems, ensuring clarity of objectives, defined deliverables, and alignment with business timelines.

+ Collaborate with cross-functional partners including Commercial, Business Development, Regulatory, and Quality to gather requirements, define milestones, and track progress.

+ Monitor budget adherence and allocate resources effectively to meet competing project demands.

+ Lead capital equipment procurement planning, justification, installation, and commissioning aligned to future R&D capability needs.

**Cross-Functional & Customer Collaboration**

+ Act as a technical interface to OEMs and customers, translating market needs into development opportunities and supporting customer-specific application development.

+ Partner with the Sales, Product Management, and Business Development teams to deliver technical presentations, respond to customer inquiries, and co-develop innovative solutions.

+ Support technical documentation, training content, and field application testing during product launches or customer validations.

+ Ensure customer feedback and field learnings are integrated into product refinement and lifecycle management strategies.

**Safety & Compliance**

+ Maintain proper handling, storage, and disposal procedures for chemicals, raw materials, and experimental waste.

+ Work closely with the HSE and Quality teams to ensure all new materials are compliant with applicable standards and documentation requirements for their end-use applications.

+ Establish and routinely audit safety protocols for new equipment and experimental procedures.

**SPECIAL FEATURES**

+ Travel required up to 10–15% to support customer meetings, supplier visits, scale-up efforts, and collaboration with other sites.

+ Participation in industry trade shows, technical symposia, and innovation forums encouraged to build market intelligence and network with thought leaders.

Knowledge / Skills / Experience

**Required:**

+ Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.

+ 7+ years of experience in product or process development, preferably in thermoplastics, composites, or advanced materials.

+ Minimum of 2 years of team leadership or engineering management experience.

+ Strong understanding of structure-property relationships, material testing methods, and manufacturing processes such as extrusion, molding, or compounding.

+ Demonstrated ability to manage projects through structured stage-gate systems from concept to commercialization.

**Preferred:**

+ Experience working in regulated markets such as aerospace, medical, or automotive.

+ Knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma, DOE methodologies, or digital engineering tools.

+ Proficiency in using project management software, data visualization platforms, or simulation tools for material and process modeling.

**COMPETENCIES:**

+ Technical Acumen: Applies scientific and engineering knowledge to solve complex challenges, design robust products, and improve manufacturability.

+ Leadership: Builds team capability, inspires high performance, and fosters trust through integrity and clear communication.

+ Execution Focus: Demonstrates strong planning and follow-through skills, meeting milestones and budget targets while managing competing priorities.

+ Collaboration: Works effectively across functional boundaries and geographical locations to achieve common goals.

+ Innovation: Drives new ideas, leverages internal and external resources, and takes calculated risks to create differentiated product solutions.

Pay Transparency (complete highlighted sections)

+ **The salary range for this position is $119,700 - $149,600. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary will be subject to a geographic adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.**

+ **Competitive Benefits**

+ **Benefits begin on DAY 1!**

+ **Employee Assistance Programs**

+ **Curated Self-Paced Learning & Development Programs for all Employees**

**Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCGC) and any of our subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party agencies. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers or HR team. No placement fees will be paid to any firm unless specifically invited on the search by the MCGC Talent Acquisition team and such candidate was submitted to the MCGC Talent Acquisition Team via our Applicant Tracking System.**

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or other applicable laws. If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.