Ready to Shape the Future of Advanced Materials?
Are you a polymerization expert looking to make a real impact in aerospace, defense, and clean energy? Do you thrive at the intersection of innovation and industrial scale-up? If you're ready to lead transformative projects that push the boundaries of composite materials, this is your boarding pass to a career that matters.
Hexcel is seeking a R&T Polymerization Process Engineer to join our team in Decatur, AL.
Why This Role Matters
This isn’t just another engineering job. You’ll be driving the development of scalable, sustainable polymerization processes that fuel the next generation of aircraft, wind turbines, and space exploration. Your work will directly influence how high-performance materials are made and used across industries that shape our world.
At Hexcel, your ideas won’t sit on a shelf—they’ll be piloted, scaled, and launched into production.
What You Will Do
- Lead polymerization process from lab to pilot to full-scale production, ensuring safety, compliance, and performance.
- Develop scalable manufacturing solutions for PAN polymer with a focus on sustainability and efficiency.
- Accelerate Time-to-Market: Streamline technology development to bring new products to life faster.
- Work with cross-functional teams to integrate innovations into production and drive continuous improvement.
- Apply advanced polymerization methods and stay current with technical literature to fuel ongoing development.
Your Boarding Pass
To thrive in this role, you’ll need:
- Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related field. Ph.D. preferred.
- 5+ years in chemical process development, with direct experience in industrial solution polymerization.
- Expertise in polymer chemistry, structure-property relationships, and scaling R&D to production.
- Hands-on experience with pilot equipment and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
- Strong team leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Familiarity with Process Safety Management environments.
Why Decatur, AL?
It all starts here. Decatur is more than just a manufacturing site—it’s a community of innovators that sets the stage for precision downstream processes at other Hexcel sites. Nestled along the Tennessee River, Decatur offers a blend of Southern charm, outdoor adventure, and a growing tech scene. With a lower cost of living and access to nature, it’s a place where you can build both a career and a life. Relocation assistance available.
About Hexcel
With our strong investment in research and development and our culture of continuous improvement, Hexcel is the industry leader in the manufacturing of advanced composite materials, including carbon fiber, woven reinforcements, resins, prepregs, honeycombs, and additive manufactured parts. We invite you to join the Hexcel team at various manufacturing sites, sales offices, and R&T centers around the globe. Become a part of the “strength within.”
Eligible candidates must be a: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, person lawfully admitted for permanent residence, temporary resident under sections 210(a) or 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, person admitted in refugee status, or person granted asylum. Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) is a global leader in advanced composites technology, a leading producer of carbon fiber, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry.
Hexcel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected class.
Top Skills
What We Do
As a leading producer of carbon fiber reinforcements and resin systems, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry, Hexcel is creating a better world for us all through lightweight solutions.
