Manufacturing Engineer - Polymer Chemistry

With our strong investment in research and development and our culture of continuous improvement, Hexcel is the industry leader in the manufacturing of advanced lightweight composite materials, including carbon fiber, woven reinforcements, resins, prepregs, honeycombs and engineered core and composite structures. We invite you to join the Hexcel team at various manufacturing sites, sales offices and R&D centers around the globe. Become a part of the “strength within.”

Hexcel is currently seeking a Manufacturing Engineer - Polymer Chemistry for our Salt Lake City, UT, USA, Matrix location.

The selected individual will be responsible for but not limited to the following obligations:

• Support operations in achieving area safety, quality, material usage variance, yield, on time delivery and throughput targets.
• Analyze and interpret resin, film and prepreg manufacturing techniques, procedures and processing conditions.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing process problems and implement corrective measure. Assist in directing equipment repairs and upgrades.
• Develop and execute continuous improvement plans for resin mix, film or prepreg processes.
• Write and maintain detailed procedures and specifications to document resin mix, film or prepreg processes.
• Evaluate resin, film and prepreg processing conditions and resultant material properties and troubleshoot as necessary utilizing SPC techniques.  Assume full responsibility for managing process conditions to meet Process Control Document requirements and mechanical and physical properties.
• Investigate material non-conformances utilizing root cause analysis techniques and implement corrective actions to prevent future failures.
• Develop and implement resin, film and prepreg processing conditions for new equipment and/or new materials. Provide training as necessary to operations personnel.
• Drive improvements in material performance and improve Capability (Cpk and Ppk)
• Provide concise design criteria and process constraints for facility expansions or improvements and assume responsibility for all new or improved equipment start up exercises and tests.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, PhD preferred in Chemical Engineering with emphasis in Polymer Chemistry and/or a degree in Polymer Chemistry/Science.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience focused on polymer chemistry.  Experience with epoxy, phenolic, and bismaleimide (BMI) resins is highly preferred.
• Experience in resin, prepreg or other continuous process industry preferred.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma continuous improvement program, green and black belt preferred.
• Possesses a deep understanding of fundamental physical/chemical properties and structure-property relationships.  Ability to conduct complex chemical experiments.
• Strong project management skills with a demonstrated ability to work both as an individual contributor and as a cross-functional team member managing multiple projects.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.
• Current computer literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Project, Visio and PowerPoint.
• Experience with SPC and other statistical techniques preferred.

Eligible candidates must be a:  U.S. citizen, U.S. national, person lawfully admitted for permanent residence, temporary resident under sections 210(a) or 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, person admitted in refugee status, or person granted asylum. Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) is a global leader in advanced composites technology, a leading producer of carbon fiber, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry.

Hexcel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected class.