Polymers Application Engineer | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Arbeitnow
• Location: Berlin
• Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description

What we do

Cambrium is a molecular intelligence company engineering advanced materials that outperform. From personal care to textiles, mobility to home care, we design and manufacture materials that deliver real results today and for generations to come.

Our platform brings together molecular intelligence and living systems to design and produce enzymes, polymers, and peptides at scale, unlocking performance characteristics that traditional chemistry could never access. Within polymers specifically, we have developed our first base polymer and are now scaling it through partnerships with global leaders across performance materials applications. Our research team is already developing the next generation of grades, and we are now gearing up to bring these products to market and scale our operations across multiple application categories.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity. We consider all applications equally regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We strongly encourage individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in chemistry and engineering to apply, and we can support with immigration.

Please also apply if you don't match the criteria exactly, but still feel like you would be a good fit. Minor mismatches can often discourage great candidates, especially those who belong to minorities, from applying. We believe that potential and grit beat experience, and we want to get to know you beyond your CV.

Your role

As a Polymers Application Engineer at Cambrium, you will be the senior technical operator across our polymers business. You will be the person who works most closely with our customers, who ensures that technical issues are resolved through coordinated R&D activity, and who owns the documentation backbone that takes a working formulation through to a commercial product. Working directly with the Head of Polymers and alongside our research teams, you will be the technical face of Cambrium in customer meetings and the bridge between commercial demand and laboratory execution.

This is a senior individual contributor role. Your leverage will come from technical judgement, organisational rigour, and the ability to represent Cambrium credibly in front of customers and partners.

Your Responsibilities

• Working closely with customers to debug product issues, sitting with their technical teams to diagnose performance challenges and design the experiments that resolve them
• Ensuring those issues are resolved through coordinated R&D activity, from protocol design through interpretation of results and onward iteration
• Owning manufacturing quality and the regulatory documentation backbone, including technical data sheets, certificates of analysis, specifications, safety data sheets, and REACH and CLP inputs
• Collaborating with our business development team to uncover new applications for our polymer technology, acting as the technical co-pilot in commercial conversations and pressure-testing application fit in adjacent markets
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with customers and partners, ensuring effective communication and technical alignment across long-running development programmes

Your profile

• Degree in polymer engineering, polymer science, or chemical engineering with a clear polymer specialisation, ideally from a programme with a strong practical polymer focus
• 7-12 years of industry experience in polymer applications development, ideally with time at a major polymers group or in a more applied environment such as a specialty compounder or formulator
• Hands-on experience across thermoplastic elastomer or engineering polymer systems, with depth in at least one block copolymer or segmented copolymer family (for example thermoplastic polyurethanes, copolyester elastomers, or polyether block amides) and familiarity with both melt and solution-based processing routes
• Demonstrated track record of owning a customer programme end to end, from the first technical conversation through trials, qualification, and into commercial supply
• Comfortable as the senior technical voice in a customer meeting, including when results are unfavourable and the path forward is uncertain
• Strongly organised, with a natural inclination toward documentation, specification management, and the kind of systematic record-keeping that allows a young company to operate to industrial standards
• Working knowledge of European chemical regulation (REACH, CLP) at the level of a senior application engineer, sufficient to know what to gather and when to escalate
• A practical, hands-on disposition, comfortable rolling up your sleeves to keep a programme moving and thoughtful about cost and resource use in development work
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken; German or French an advantage given our footprint
• Willing to travel approximately 30-40% in the first year to build and maintain relationships with customers and partners across Europe

What we offer

• Employee Stock Options
• Flexible working hours
• Learning & Development Programme for all our team members
• Gym membership
• Subsidised lunch and impassioned lunch discussions
• 30 days of individual vacation plus up to 5 all-company holidays between the 25th of December and 1st of January
• Regular team events
• Be part of our journey to a future of advanced materials that outperform

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Expert Career Tips for Polymers Application Engineer Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Polymers Application Engineer, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Polymers Application Engineer requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Berlin and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Berlin, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Polymers Application Engineer position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.