Product Development Engineer - Automotive Aftermarket

Product Development Engineer - Automotive Aftermarket

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Job Description:

Product Development & Formulation

• Serve as a formulation specialist with strong expertise in polymers, composites, resins, and coatings.
• Develop new solutions at lab scale and pilot scale, ensuring formulations are feasible for manufacturing integration.
• Translate customer insights and AOEM R&D requirements into robust product specifications.
• Conduct formulation optimization, stability studies, application testing, and validation.

Customer Interface & Commercialization

• Work closely with AOEM R&D and Customer Marketing teams to identify customer needs and define development priorities.
• Conduct concept testing and gather customer feedback to refine formulations.
• Lead technical trials with customers and secure initial approvals for new products.
• Support full commercialization by preparing technical documentation, process guidelines, and scale-up protocols.

Analytical Testing & Validation

• Perform analytical characterization (e.g., rheology, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, chemical characterization) to validate product differentiation.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and experimental summaries.

Manufacturing Support

• Partner with Manufacturing and Process Engineering during scale-up to ensure smooth transition into production.
• Troubleshoot formulation issues and provide on-floor technical guidance when required.

Cost Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Proactively initiate Gross Margin Improvement (COGS) programs.
• Optimize existing products for improved cost, performance, and processing efficiency.
• Collaborate with raw material suppliers and third-party manufacturers to identify new technologies and materials.

Innovation & Collaboration

• Drive material and formulation innovation in alignment with market needs and emerging technologies.
• Work with cross-functional teams including Quality, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Application Engineering.
• Train Application Engineers on product features, formulation processes, and application methods.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate lab records, development logs, test data, and technical documents.
• Ensure compliance with internal quality standards, safety norms, and regulatory requirements.

Qualification:

• M.Tech in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Science or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in formulation development, product commercialization, or materials engineering.
• Proven experience in commercializing material-science-based products (polymers, coatings, adhesives, resins, composites).
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, resin systems, coating technologies, and material-property relationships.
• Experience working with raw material suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and customer-facing orientation with the ability to gather insights and translate them into solutions.

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Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

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Experience Level

Senior Level