Chemical Engineer (Applications Engineer) - Industrial Coatings

For 140 years, A.W. Chesterton has been an innovator and a knowledge provider for our industrial partners around the globe. From our ground-breaking split seal technologies, to our cutting-edge packing and lubricant solutions, we are continually focused on new ways to bring solutions to our customers, while also celebrating our own rich history and our unique place in the sealing industry.

Chesterton continually strives to innovate for our customers, and our professional engineers are at the heart of that effort. Unlike many companies, all of Chesterton’s engineers are required to possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering within a focused field of study – guaranteeing our customers that top professionals will be working on their behalf. We offer a work environment that appeals to our engineers: time and space to think and collaborate with other engineers, challenging and complex problems to dig into every day, and a flexible work environment that encourages work-life balance. Whether you’re forward facing with our customers to help them troubleshoot field applications, working in our state of the art test labs, or driving efficiencies into our manufacturing floors, there is an engineering career waiting for you with us!

Our benefits offering include:

• “Work Today, get paid tomorrow” - withdraw up to 30% of your earned daily wages the next day after you work rather than waiting for pay day!
• Chesterton Student Loan Repayment Program
• BCBS Medical Coverage
• Delta Dental
• 401K savings plan with a Chesterton contribution
• PTO including vacation sick, time, 11 paid holidays, and paid to time off to volunteer for causes
• Flexible work schedules, including fully remote and hybrid work options for many jobs
• Vision insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
• HSA & FSA options to cover additional medical costs
• Parental leave for moms and dads to be
• Hiring referral bonuses (up to $3,000 for select roles)
• A host of other fringe benefits including legal services, pet insurance, Chesterton relief fund for employees in need, and more!

Job Summary:

Responsible for engineering and technical support of Chesterton ARC polymer composite coatings for metals and concrete to include; technical inquiry support for field sales force, distributors and end user customers; technical literature development and revision control; product failure analyses; independent product approvals, certifications and vendor qualifications; new product development support and qualification testing; specialized laboratory test development in support of trial applications; new product field test coordination; liaison with Environmental, Health and Safety Department, as necessary to address customer product technical safety concerns and ARC Training program support. Provide technical support via telephone, telefax, e-mail or site visits, as necessary. Develop application specifications or specify ARC composite products based on application survey data, field input and end user needs. Specify environmental controls and specialized equipment, as required to facilitate product application per technical requirements. Provide technical documentation to field sales force, distributors and end user customers, as required. Analyze failed products to provide written description of damage as well as recommendations for corrective action.

Job Model: Hybrid

Hybrid positions will require employees to work both on-site and remote each week under a schedule that has been determined and agreed upon by you and your manager.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical inquiry support for field sales force, distributors and end user customers using telephone, telefax and e-mail communication methods. Troubleshoot applications based on application survey data, test reports, consultations with regional sales managers, ARC Test Lab and research personnel.
• Develop new technical literature including product data sheets, product specifications, technical bulletins, chemical resistance charts, procedural guides for product application, etc. Revise existing technical documents to incorporate updated information.
• Coordinate product failure analyses in response to customer complaints associated with product substandard performance. Interface with ARC Test Lab personnel to ensure that the most appropriate test methods are utilized in order to determine failure root cause. Prepare final written reports for customers to include introduction, background information, references, laboratory analysis, conclusions and recommendations.
• Oversee independent ARC product approvals, certifications and vendor qualifications, including technical submittals for new approvals and annual renewals of existing approvals. Interface with QC technical personnel, as required.
• Provide technical input in the new product development process based on technical inquiry feedback from the field. Assist in performing new product qualification testing including laboratory-field handling trials. Coordinate field testing of new products with regional sales managers and distributors.
• Coordinate specialized laboratory testing in support of trial applications or competitive product benchmark programs, as requested by field sales force, distributors and end user customers.
• Liaison with Environmental, Health and Safety Department, as necessary to address customer product technical safety concerns.
• Serve as a part-time instructor in the ARC Training Program during ARC I, ARC II and other specialized distributor/consumer group training, as requested by GTED.

Assist in maintaining controlled reference files on various ARC polymer composite products. Provide copies of new information to Marketing Services for distribution to Sales.

• As requested by Marketing Services, develop lists of proven applications with supporting case histories in particular market sectors (i.e. API/CPI, power, pulp and paper, water/wastewater, general industry, etc.).

Complexity of Duties:

• Works under limited supervision. Follows established procedures. Work is reviewed for soundness of technical judgment and overall adequacy and accuracy.
• Deals with emergency situations, using sound and logical thinking in choosing a particular course of action.
• Limited travel required.

Essential Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and technical skills.
• Ability to interact professionally in an interdisciplinary technical team.
• Outstanding multi-tasking ability.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to troubleshoot.
• Ability to travel to a variety of locations.
• Strong customer service skills.

Education and/or Experience:

• B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering or Chemistry
• Hazardous Materials Training
• 7+ years related experience in industry.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to write reports and make presentations.
• Ability to conduct research analysis.
• Ability to deal with emergency situations, using sound and logical thinking in choosing a particular course of action.
• Ability to effectively deal with agitated customers, vendors, or employees.
• Computer skills including e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets and database management.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees assigned to certain tasks within this job may be required to participate in our Medical Surveillance Program. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision. Ability to work and walk about in a plant environment, wear required protective clothing, i.e., steel toe shoes and safety glasses. While in the plant environment the employee may be required to crouch, crawl, stoop, bend or lift objects up to 50 pounds. Noise and temperature levels can be high in the plant environment. Ability to work with hazardous chemicals. Ability to wear a respirator.

Disclaimer:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

All of A.W. Chesterton Company employment is contingent upon successfully passing a background check and the respective medical surveillance requirements.

Chesterton is an equal opportunity employer M/F/V/D

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