PU Elastomer Application Technologist

Job Description:

PU Elastomer Application Technologist

About the Role:

Huntsman has an exciting career opportunity for an Application Technologist in Global Elastomers Technology and Innovation Team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, supporting our Polyurethane 2-Component Elastomers business.

This is a predominantly laboratory-based role, with the majority of time spent on hands-on formulation work, material testing, method development and experimental programs. While customer trials and collaboration with regional teams are important, the core of this position is centered on lab-scale development, evaluation and technical experimentation.

In this evolved and dynamic role, you will be a key contributor to growth‑oriented projects aimed at expanding our customer base and enabling new commercial opportunities.

Although the role is based in the Americas, our innovation and customer needs are global.  Therefore, you will collaborate with teams across the Americas, EAME and Asia supporting regional and cross-regional priorities as required.

A central part of the role is the taking ownership of technical projects and proactively steering both development work and customer trials from concept through successful execution.  Your work will help ensure Huntsman remains a trusted partner for existing customers while driving the introduction of new, value‑adding elastomer solutions.

Role Responsibilities:

• Leading formulation development with a strong focus on growth projects, ensuring our PU elastomer systems remain competitive.
• Taking full ownership of technical projects, including planning, organizing, and coordinating multiple workstreams in parallel. You will be expected to operate as a project manager: coordinating activities, ensuring alignment with stakeholders, and communicating progress to the Application Development Manager and key stakeholders.
• Driving and supporting customer trials, including preparation, onsite or remote technical support, troubleshooting and rapid follow-up.  Your proactive engagement will be essential to successful qualification and commercialization.
• Identifying innovative solutions to technical challenges by applying alternative approaches, creative problem‑solving, and in‑depth technical understanding—supporting the development of differentiated MDI‑based PU elastomer systems.
• Collaborating closely with regional and global stakeholders, including Technical Service, Commercial, Marketing, Operations, and other Elastomer platforms. You will also build a strong working network with Global R&D to accelerate implementation and ensure efficient delivery of development programs. Although America‑based, you may also support projects in other regions when required.
• Developing and executing structured experimental programs, analyzing results, drawing meaningful conclusions and providing clear recommendations for next steps. You will maintain high‑quality reporting to enable transparent decision‑making and project progression.
• Conducting the majority of work in the laboratory, including formulation preparation, material testing, processing evaluations and application development activities.
• Monitoring market and technology trends, evaluating competitive materials, industry publications, and customer insights—ensuring the PU Elastomers team remains aware of emerging opportunities, risks, and technological shifts.
• Traveling up to 25% of the time to support customer trials, provide onsite technical assistance, attend project meetings or collaborate with regional teams.

Education required

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Chemistry, or Material Science.
• 3+ years of experience in a relevant role.

Skills and knowledge

• Ability to link material properties with potential new applications.
• High level of detailed technical expertise in elastomer technologies or processing machines is a strong advantage.
• High degree of initiative with a positive, independent, and self-managing attitude.
• Strong hands-on approach.
• Good communication, teamwork, and relationship-building skills with both internal and external customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with polyurethane products processing equipment.
• English is the main language of the job; knowledge of other languages is a plus.
• Willingness to occasionally work outside of normal working hours.
• Ability to lift and transport materials weighing up to 50 lbs over short distances.

Additional Locations: