Polymer Material Data Specialist

We are seeking a detail-oriented Polymer Material Data Specialist to organize, clean, validate, and maintain the material property data used by engineers and technical teams.

In this hands-on individual contributor role, you will work with polymer test data from laboratory reports, spreadsheets, technical datasheets, and other engineering sources. You will transform that information into structured, consistent, traceable records that can be used in an engineering material database and to support technical datasheets.

The data may include stress–strain curves, fatigue curves, heat-aging results, and other mechanical, thermal, and physical properties. Success requires both an understanding of polymer test data and the ability to manage it carefully: preserving the test conditions and source information needed to interpret each result.

The primary focus of this role is applying materials science knowledge to interpret and organize polymer test data. Experience with master data management, cataloging, taxonomy, and software systems is valuable in supporting this work.

Key Responsibilities

Structure and Maintain Material Data

• Extract material property data from laboratory reports, spreadsheets, technical datasheets, and other engineering documents.
• Organize individual property values, test results, and curve data in a consistent format for use in an engineering material database.
• Maintain material and grade identification, property definitions, units, test methods, test conditions, and links to source documents.
• Support the development and maintenance of data fields, templates, naming conventions, and standards for polymer material properties.
• Prepare validated data for use in technical datasheets and other engineering applications.

Review and Improve Data Quality

• Clean, standardize, and validate polymer material datasets for completeness, consistency, and accuracy.
• Identify missing or ambiguous information, inconsistent units, duplicate records, and discrepancies between source documents and database entries.
• Preserve the context needed to interpret results, such as test temperature, strain rate, specimen preparation, conditioning, and aging exposure, when available.
• Work with engineers, scientists, and laboratory personnel to resolve questions about test data and document any assumptions or corrections.
• Maintain traceability from database records to their original test reports or other source documents.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 5 + Years of experience with Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience working with polymer, plastics, or other engineering material property data in a laboratory, engineering, product development, or technical data role.
• Ability to read and interpret material test reports, technical datasheets, and engineering data.
• Familiarity with mechanical, thermal, or physical material properties and the test conditions that affect their interpretation.
• Experience cleaning, organizing, reviewing, or maintaining structured technical data.
• Strong attention to detail, including the ability to identify incomplete, inconsistent, or questionable information.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and the ability to work with structured datasets.
• Ability to communicate technical questions clearly and collaborate with engineers and laboratory personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with polymer data such as stress–strain curves, fatigue behavior, heat aging, creep, or temperature-dependent properties.
• Familiarity with common polymer test methods and standards, such as relevant ASTM or ISO methods.
• Experience working with engineering material databases, laboratory information management systems, or material modeling data.
• Experience using Python, SQL, or other tools to clean, transform, validate, or analyze data.
• Familiarity with preparing or maintaining technical datasheets.
• Experience defining data structures, templates, or quality checks for engineering or laboratory data.

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

About Us:

Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics focused on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. We are a fully integrated material solutions provider with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

Our global workforce makes the materials used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances, and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods. We are committed to safety, sustainability, and the success of our customers and our communities.

Why work at Ascend?

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values: OARS.

Our OARS values shape how we work, lead, and grow together. We take ownership, stay accountable, operate reliably, and support one another to deliver results safely and consistently. Through clear expectations, empowered decision-making, intentional communication, and continuous feedback, we create a culture built on action, visibility, and shared success.

Together, OARS gives us a shared language and clear direction. These values guide our decisions, shape priorities and set expectations as we move forward – aligned, focused and committed to creating performance materials that improve lives today and inspire a better tomorrow.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.