Materials Engineer II - Polymers

About HCC/CCI

Henry Crown & Company/CC Industries is a Chicago-based, privately-held company that manages business, philanthropic, and family interests on behalf of a multi-generational family.  The business ventures fall into broadly-defined categories: wholly-owned operating companies, public and private equity investments, and real estate. The enterprise also supports individual and collective giving through Crown Family Philanthropies and provides traditional family office services across generations. The enterprise employs approximately 350 professionals in the areas of investment management, corporate development, financial operations, tax, research and innovation, human resources, information technologies, and legal.

Why work for us?

We are a private enterprise with more than a 100-year legacy and track record of financial success, supporting our communities, and taking care of our employees.  We plan strategically with a long-term time horizon and an integrated approach to access superior opportunities and optimize financial results.  Integrity, collaboration, and dedication are cornerstones of our workplace culture that create rewarding professional experiences.

Position Description

At CCI, our materials engineering researchers work directly with multi-disciplinary project teams to understand key manufacturing and product challenges and determine how material developments and surface treatment technologies can be used to solve them. This includes problem assessment, material development & characterization, application development and testing, prototyping, and more. Our team members are an integral part of the Center eco-system, contributing to a dynamic environment of multiple projects, collaborating with colleagues from various CCI operating companies, Virginia Tech faculty & students, suppliers, and other applied research centers.

As a Materials Engineer, you will provide team guidance founded on a theoretical basis tempered by industrial experiences to shape durable solutions. You will contribute to the Center leadership helping to shape the methodologies and processes utilized across a broad spectrum of materials.

Responsibilities:

• Excel at problem definition; work effectively with open ended or complex problem statements and/or applications and be comfortable in adapting strategies according to results.
• Transform customer specifications into exploratory projects leading to proof-of-concept and then prototype product and process designs.
• Forecast and plan for the effect a new product or material development will have on manufacturing, operations, and material/chemical supply chain when ready for commercialization.
• Maintain a safe working environment and utilize safe work practices in the office, manufacturing spaces, and at production facilities.
• Contribute to the technology transfer from lab to production environment.
• Interface with other research institutions for sponsored research.
• Be an effective steward of project budgets and schedules.
• Contribute to the development of the group and interns through mentorship.
• Provide explanations on polymer materials and the processes to which they are made, applied, and fabricated as an internal Subject Matter Expert
• Collaborate and support CCI operating companies and partners throughout project lifecycle.
• Establish and maintain a network within the CCI operating companies and collaborative partners.

Qualifications:

• PhD preferred and/or MS - Degree in, Materials Engineering, Chemical, or similar engineering/science background required. 
• 5+ years of experience in a polymer-related field.
• Polymer engineer, or scientist with preferrable experience in adhesives, plastics, composites, and coatings.
• Experience or knowledge in material characterization techniques (e.g., FESEM, optical microscopy, TGA, Mass Spec, DMA, DSC, Rheometry, FTIR, LIBS, Universal Testing, GPLC etc.) and how to interpret such results. 
• Experience with Excel, MS Teams, PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of corrosion, and corrosion prevention coatings, preferable. 
• Knowledge of material product and/or process development/design preferable.
• Experience of working cross functionally with original equipment manufacturers, consumer facing product companies, external academic research partners and material/chemical supply chain vendors.
• Experience working in or leading diverse project teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; clearly conveys ideas at both technical and non-technical levels; must be an active listener.
• Approaches work with a collaborative, team first mentality; proactive, positive