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.