The Senior Polymer Reaction Engineer position at IFF’s Nutrition & Biosciences Process R&D in Wilmington, Delaware, is a remarkable opportunity for an engineering professional with expertise in polymer engineering with specialized chemical reactions. This role is in IFF's cutting-edge Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials (DEB) technology, utilizing advanced biotechnology to create unique, structurally diverse polysaccharides for various applications and products in home care, personal care, fabric care and industrial markets. The selected candidate will be an integral part in the development of new competency capabilities in reaction engineering and process development of functionalized polymer, fostering innovation and driving team excellence. From the thrill of initial discovery to the meticulous work involved in scaling up processes, from overseeing pilot production to the critical phase of transferring technology to manufacturing plants, this position offers a challenging and rewarding career path for a dedicated and knowledgeable engineer. It's a role that promises professional growth opportunities, continuous learning, and the chance to make a significant impact in the field of biotechnology.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the establishment and growth of new competency capabilities in process development and engineering for commercialized polymer derivative reactions, fostering innovation and driving team excellence
- Lead technical and economic evaluations, engineering design, development, and process optimization of polymer derivatives and chemistries, promoting continuous improvement and ensuring high-quality outcomes
- Possess expertise in specialized chemical reactions, including high-pressure, high-solids, slurry reactions and other specialized equipment, as well as knowledgeable in their operation and maintenance
- Manage hazardous chemicals, conduct thorough hazard analyses, and ensure process safety and accurate documentation
- Perform experimental research, implement scale-up and scale-down methodologies, and explore innovative technical concepts to drive business growth
- Guide and mentor junior engineers and team members, providing technical leadership and fostering their growth and development
- Drive innovation projects from conception to prototype, leading report writing, invention disclosures, claim drafting, and collaborating with the IP team on patent applications
Requirements:
We value hands-on experience and academic achievement in equal measure and are excited to welcome a new member who shares our passion for excellence and innovation in the field.
- Ph.D. degree in relevant Engineering or Polymer Science disciplines with at least 4+ years of additional industrial experience
OR
- Master’s degree in relevant Engineering or Polymer Science disciplines with at least 8+ years of additional industrial experience
OR
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant Engineering or Polymer Science disciplines with at least 12+ years of industrial experience
Required skills:
- Skilled in polymer engineering, including the chemistry, scale-up, and reaction engineering of polymer reactions, with a balanced understanding of both chemistry and material aspects
- Experience in scaling up polymer-based organic reactions to commercial levels, including contract manufacturing, across various scales (benchtop, pilot, and commercial)
- Well-versed in heat transfer calculations, reaction kinetics, mass transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, polymer characterization, and statistical analysis, enabling effective design, scaling, and optimization of polymer reactions
- Comprehensive understanding and advanced expertise in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, reaction mechanisms, chemical transformations, solvent handling, process optimization techniques, and process safety protocols
- Significant experience in the safe handling and management of hazardous chemicals, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and protocols
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills for technical reporting and collaboration
- Teamwork: Works effectively within interdisciplinary teams, contributing to complex projects
- Some travel required (≤ 25%)
- Position is in-person in Wilmington, DE
Preferred Skills:
- Proficient in handling pressurized and exothermic reactions from a chemical engineering perspective
- Skilled in collaborating with contract manufacturers to scale polymer modification reactions,
- Demonstrates a hands-on approach to laboratory work, beyond just office-based tasks
- Well-versed and experienced in a research and development (R&D) environment
- Proficient in applying design of experiments (DOE) and conducting statistical analyses
- Competent in programming languages such as VBA, JMP, Minitab, or Python
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
