USG · 2 days ago
Senior Researcher - Plastic Materials
Libertyville, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expUSG is an industry-leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions. They are seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Plastic Extrusion Materials Expert to oversee material selection, formulation development, and process optimization within their extrusion operations.
Advanced MaterialsBuilding MaterialManufacturingProduct Design
Hiring Manager
David Pelot
Responsibilities
Lead the assessment and selection of thermoplastic resins, additives, and fillers to fulfill specified mechanical, thermal, and aesthetic requirements
Develop and optimize material formulations through laboratory trials utilizing DSC, TGA, Rheology, and other advanced analytical techniques
Collaborate with extrusion engineers to refine process parameters—including temperature, screw configuration, back pressure, and throughput—to achieve consistent quality
Diagnose and address material-related defects such as surface imperfections, dimensional inconsistencies, and melt fracture, implementing effective corrective measures
Establish standardized protocols for material testing and acceptance criteria, ensuring thorough documentation and traceability
Engage with suppliers to qualify new polymers, negotiate technical specifications, and manage trial shipments
Support product innovation by evaluating emerging polymer chemistries and initiatives related to sustainability, such as bio-resins and recycled content
Provide technical training and mentorship to production and quality personnel regarding material behavior and best practices
Qualification
Required
Master's (or PhD) degree in Polymer Science, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline
A minimum of 5 years' experience in plastic extrusion development, quality control or materials laboratory settings
Comprehensive understanding of thermoplastic extrusion processes, screw designs, and troubleshooting techniques
Proficiency in the operation of polymer characterization instruments, including DSC, TGA, rheometer, and melt flow indexer
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with demonstrable experience in Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical process control methodologies
Excellent communication skills and proven ability to collaborate across functions
Willingness and ability to travel to manufacturing plants and customer sites as necessary
Benefits
Two medical insurance options
Vision and dental coverage
401(k) Investment Plan with company match
Pension plan
Life insurance
Accident insurance
Legal insurance
Pet insurance
Quarterly (hourly) / Annual (salary) bonus potential
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Company
USG
USG is a manufacturing company that produces gypsum wallboard, joint compound and a vast array of related products for the construction.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
USG has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (23)
2024 (36)
2023 (72)
2022 (6)
2021 (8)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
unknown2018-06-11Acquired
1993-05-14IPO
Leadership Team
Srinivas Veeramasuneni
Chief Technology Officer
Recent News
legacy.thefly.com
2026-02-05
2025-10-31
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