Sr. Plastics Lab Technologist

Job Title: Senior Plastics Technologist

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled Plastics Lab Technologist to join our team. This role involves troubleshooting and using hard-plastics quality control equipment to analyze data and determine the characteristics of hard plastic materials. As a Plastics Lab Technologist, you will work with pigments and resins, help train lab technicians, and investigate customer complaints through root-cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and operate hard-plastics QC equipment such as twin screw extruder, 2 roll-mill, press-out station, and compression molder.

• Analyze data to determine characteristics of hard plastic materials using QC instruments.

• Train lab technicians on machine operation and troubleshooting.

• Collaborate with pigments and resins in formulations.

• Investigate customer complaints and conduct root-cause analysis.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in using and troubleshooting twin screw extruder, 2 roll-mill, press-out station, and compression molder.

• Experience in plastics manufacturing and quality control.

• Knowledge of additive masterbatch, pigment, and polymers.

• Customer service experience.

• Experience testing the quality of solid plastic products.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in a plastics laboratory or compounding environment.

• Direct experience with pigment and additive masterbatch formulation and processing.

• Experience in color science, dispersion, and polymer performance testing.

Work Environment

The work environment is a hands-on plastics development lab that operates like a small-scale manufacturing environment. You will be actively involved in formulating materials, running extrusion and compounding equipment, performing color and performance tests, troubleshooting formulations, and contributing to the improvement and expansion of the lab.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Glendale Heights, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Glendale Heights,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.