TS&D Engineer - Kuraray America

Title: TS&D Engineer

Location: Pasadena, Texas

Who we are:

Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. With top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of supplies from around the world, Kuraray leads the industry in specialty dental, fiber, resin, and elastomer products. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray has operations in 31 countries and employs more than 11,000 employees, including over 800 in the United States.

Why Kuraray:

Kuraray is building a better tomorrow, today. Our team members are dedicated to expanding our business with committed professionals who share essential values such as integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability.

As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., our team shares the advantages of working for the leader in specialty chemicals, resins, and fibers. Our international presence and resources allow us to be a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Yet, despite our size, our people are more than just a number. As a new team member, you can expect to earn responsibility quickly. Our commitment to our people is visible in our comprehensive benefits package. As a Kuraray team member, you will have the opportunity to enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, incentive opportunities, and an excellent work environment.

Position Summary:

The Technical Service and Development Engineer will lead advanced technical support for key PVOH coating application accounts, with a focus on paper and packaging. Responsibilities include providing expert solutions to complex customer challenges, driving new application development and commercialization, and managing lab projects to support customer needs. This role also strengthens the PVOH Technical Service team's capabilities, fosters industry partnerships, and ensures compliance with safety and documentation standards.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and validate engineering solutions that meet functionality, performance, aesthetics, and cost requirements while adhering to organizational and regulatory standards.
• Provide advanced technical support to customers and the sales team, ensuring effective diagnosis and resolution of complex technical challenges with PVOH applications.
• Conduct laboratory work and collaborate with technicians and global technical teams, including R&D in Japan, to deliver solutions.
• Manage technical service projects and establish standardized work procedures for the U.S.-based PVOH Technical Service laboratory, enhancing its analytical capabilities (e.g., IR, GPC, GC, DSC, SEM).
• Lead major projects, balancing technical and business priorities to ensure timely delivery.
• Work with global teams to identify market opportunities, propose strategic projects, and develop Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to maintain competitive differentiation.
• Support product promotion efforts through the creation of technical literature, website content, trade show exhibits, and presentations at conferences.
• Lead efforts to develop intellectual property (IP) for PVOH applications and support patent strategies for new and existing products.
• Assist manufacturing sites, including Bayport and LaPorte, in resolving quality issues and driving process improvements.
• Collect and analyze data from various sources to inform research, identify trends, and propose actionable insights for the business.
• Develop new testing methodologies to address evolving requirements for products and operations.
• Ensure adherence to safety policies, regulatory standards, and training requirements in all activities.
• Continuously build technical and professional capabilities through training, certifications, and engagement with industry best practices.
• Requires up to 40% domestic and international travel.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in STEM; BS in STEM, PhD. preferred
• Minimum of 10 years in customer technical service with some product and applications development
• Minimum of 5 years of global business experience
• Minimum of 5 years of project leader experience for new product development
• Analysis skills for IR, GPC, GC, DSC, SEM
• Sales process knowledge
• Technical service experiences preferably in PVOH industries
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize work to manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving/decision-making skills.
• Ability to multi-task
• Candidates must have a valid driver's license.

Competencies:

• Customer Focus
  • Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Business Insight
  • Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
• Cultivates Innovation
  • Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.

• Action Oriented
  • Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Ensures Accountability
  • Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Drives Results
  • Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstance
• Collaborates
  • Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Values Difference
  • Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Communicates Effectively
  • Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Courage
  • Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Instills Trust
  • Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Situational Adaptability
  • Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes base pay and an annual incentive. This program is designed to reward individual performance and align overall rewards with corporate and team performance.

Our employees benefit from a robust healthcare package that includes wellness reimbursements, along with generous perks such as three weeks of paid time off, ten company holidays, paid parental leave, education reimbursement, and a matching 401k plan, among other offerings.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.

Please apply online at: http://www.kuraray.us.com/careers/

Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer AA M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

No third-party candidates accepted.