Staff Engineer - Polymers

Staff Engineer – Materials Innovation (Polymers)

Shape the Future of Food & Beverage Packaging

Are you passionate about polymers and driven to push materials beyond today’s limits? Join our Materials Innovation team as a Staff Engineer, where you’ll play a critical technical leadership role advancing polypropylene (PP) and related polymers that redefine performance, sustainability, and manufacturability in food and beverage packaging.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for a seasoned polymer expert who thrives at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing, and business outcomes. You’ll own innovation from raw material selection and structure–property–function relationships through processing, manufacturing, and end-use performance, with a strong focus on in‑line thermoforming (post‑trim and trim‑in‑place) and injection molding. Your influence will extend across cup, lid, and container platforms spanning PP, PET, and polystyrene, while collaborating on hybrid solutions involving paper substrates and molded fiber.

If you want your expertise to translate into commercialized solutions, competitive advantage, and measurable results, this role was built for you.

Location: Mason, MI or Randleman, NC

            *If you are unable to be based at one of our facility locations (Mason, MI | Randleman NC), this position is available as a remote role. Please note that remote work requires 60–70% travel to our facilities.
 

What You'll Do...

• Deliver expert leadership in polypropylene and polymer materials science and manufacturing, driving processing optimization (property structure function) and superior packaging performance.
• Lead optimization efforts of materials for in-line thermoforming and injection molding while supporting other key manufacturing technologies for cups, lids, and containers across PP and adjacent polymers.
• Analyze complex multi-plant production data, translate insights into decisive recommendations, and own implementation from concept to verified commercial outcomes.
• Mentor and elevate colleagues in other functions in polymer characterization (rheology, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and related methods).
• Develop and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships with innovation, operations, manufacturing, and specialists in paper substrates and molded fiber to accelerate integrated solutions.
• Track competitive landscapes, industry trends, and emerging material innovations; convert foresight into strategic opportunities that position the company for future success.
• Apply disciplined organizational and project management expertise to shepherd high-priority initiatives from ideation through commercialization quickly.

What You'll Need...

• Requires one of the following:
  • Master’s degree with an emphasis in Engineering in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field
  • Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Engineering in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field
• 10+ years of industrial experience with polypropylene in food and beverage packaging applications or related engineering experience
• Hands-on expertise and demonstrated success in in-line thermoforming (post-trim and trim-in-place) and injection molding for PP + other polymeric materials, plus working knowledge of other cup, lid, and container processes.
• Proven track record in polymer characterization, property structure function driven outcomes, multi-site data analysis, and mentoring technical professionals.
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration, project leadership, and end-to-end ownership of impactful results.
• Solid understanding of competitive dynamics and emerging trends in polymers, paper substrates, and molded fiber packaging.
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
• Advanced knowledge of materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of products
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to successfully prioritize, and organize long-term, complex research and development projects, deadlines, and tasks in both team and independent environments
• Excellent verbal and written skills necessary to communicate intricate job-related information and clearly explain options and solutions to internal and external customers
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, additional travel may be required during critical projects or business demands
• Work is split between an office environment, lab environment or production facility depending on the project
• Experience using Microsoft Office, including the ability to create reports, documents, presentations and spreadsheets in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of new sustainable chemistries and processes, including recyclability, EPR regulations and bio-based materials.
  • Demonstrated innovation through patents, publications, or commercialized products.

*Dart is unable to employ those who currently live in and expect to work out of any of the following U.S. states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, however relocation assistance to the Mason, MI, Federalsburg MA, or Leola, PA  area may be considered in lieu of full-time remote work. This list is subject to change at Dart’s discretion.

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Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years.  We’re a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we’re proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.

Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug-free workplace.  Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.

*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.

Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

https://www.dartcontainer.com/eeoaa/

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at (800) 545-3278 Ext 3370 or email us at [email protected]. Relay calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.

If you experience difficulty applying online, you may call (800) 545-3278 Ext 3390 or email us at [email protected] for assistance.