Engineer, Technical Services

Pinnacle Polymers is the seeking a Technical Service Engineer in Garyville, Louisiana. 

The Technical Service Engineer serves as the company's primary technical resource for polypropylene product performance, customer application support, process troubleshooting, formulation development, regulatory compliance, and new product commercialization. This position applies polymer science, chemical engineering principles, manufacturing expertise, laboratory analysis, customer feedback, and continuous improvement methodologies to resolve technical challenges, optimize product performance, support customer success, and drive business growth.

The Technical Service Engineer upholds and promotes Pinnacle Polymers’ six Core Values: Safety First Always, People, Quality, Continuous Improvement, Teamwork, and Sustainability, in addition to the following functions:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safety, Health, and Environmental Leadership

• Promote and support a workplace culture with an unwavering commitment to safety, health, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
• Comply with all Company policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Technical Service and Customer Support

• Serve as the primary technical contact for customers and internal stakeholders.
• Provide customer trial support, processing assistance, troubleshooting, and application development guidance.
• Deliver technical product recommendations and customer-facing technical support.
• Collaborate with customers to resolve product performance issues and improve application outcomes.

Product Development and Manufacturing Support

• Support new product development, product commercialization, formulation design, and recipe development activities.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to identify and implement process improvements.
• Provide technical expertise for manufacturing troubleshooting and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate additives, raw materials, and alternative formulations to improve product performance and operational efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance and Sustainability

• Manage regulatory and technical documentation, including Drug Master Files (DMF), FDA submissions, IMDS requirements, European regulatory inquiries, and customer technical questionnaires.
• Lead technical support activities associated with sustainability-focused products and initiatives.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory, environmental, and sustainability requirements impacting polypropylene products and applications.
• Coordinate external laboratory certifications, including UL and other applicable industry certifications.

Program Management

• Ensure technical service programs operate effectively and efficiently to meet customer and business objectives.
• Maintain technical records, reports, and documentation to support product quality, regulatory compliance, and customer requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of manufacturing or technical service experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of polymer processing, product development, and manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present technical information to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple functional areas and with external customers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with polypropylene manufacturing, formulations, and product development.
• Technical service experience supporting injection molding, thermoforming, fiber, or related applications.
• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), preferably LabSoft.
• Polymer laboratory testing and analysis experience, preferably within polypropylene manufacturing.
• Knowledge of sustainability initiatives, certifications, and regulatory requirements affecting polymer products.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel, and occasionally crawl.
• Regular use of hands and arms for handling, reaching, and operating equipment.
• Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
• Regular use of standard office equipment, computers, laboratory instruments, and testing equipment.
• Split work environment consisting of office, laboratory, and manufacturing plant settings.
• Exposure to indoor climate-controlled environments as well as outdoor weather conditions.
• Moderate noise levels typical of business offices, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities.
• Must be willing and able to travel (nationally and internationally)
• Ability to work in the U.S. and successful completion of a pre-employment background check and screening