R&D Scale Up Twin Screw Extruder Engineer

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller's (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2024 revenue of $3.6 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,500 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com.

The R&D Scale Up Twin Screw Extruder Engineer will support new product development and scale-up activities by operating and optimizing twin screw extrusion processes. This role bridges R&D and manufacturing, ensuring robust process development, technical documentation, and operational excellence in a pilot-scale environment.

Primary Responsibilities

New Product Development

• Collaborate with R&D scientists and manufacturing engineers to develop and scale new formulations.

• Hands on setup, operation, and disassembly of pilot-scale twin screw extruders (e.g., Coperion, Jewel).

• Conduct experimental trials, collect data, report writing, and support formulation optimization.

Process Engineering & Manufacturing Support

• Design, implement, and optimize extrusion processes to improve product quality, throughput, and cost-efficiency.

• Troubleshoot extrusion-related issues and recommend corrective actions.

• Author and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and validation protocols.

• Support scale-up from pilot to commercial production, including documentation and training.

• Support CapEx and OpEx activities at the manufacturing facility aligned with organizational growth goals.

Technical Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of process parameters, experimental results, and observations.

• Contribute to technical reports, validations, and qualifications.

• Present findings to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Process, or Materials Engineering with 1-year hands on experience with twin screw extrusion in R&D or manufacturing OR 2-year engineering degree with 3 years hands on experience with twin screw extrusion in R&D or manufacturing.

• Familiarity with polymer compounding, reactive extrusion, and downstream equipment.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting capability.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel and statistical software such as Minitab.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work safely in a chemical manufacturing environment.

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. to shoulder height and to stand/work for extended periods.

• Ability to travel up to 10%, including international travel to China.

Preferred Requirements

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

• Experience with functionalized polymers, soft polyols, or grafted materials.

• Familiarity with project management tools (Gantt charts, RACI matrices).

• Experience in ISO-compliant environments and GMP practices.

• Knowledge of process simulation and modeling tools.

This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship. Applicants must have U.S. work authorization that does not now or in the future require H.B. Fuller sponsorship of a work visa to work for H.B. Fuller.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.

In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.