R&D Engineer – Consumer Goods (Adhesive)

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Job Description:

Job Description: R&D Engineer – Consumer Goods (Adhesive)

Location: Bengaluru, India (R&D Centre)
Position Type: Full-time

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced R&D Engineer to join R&D team in Bengaluru. This role drives the end-to-end development of premier consumer mounting systems, technical tapes, and Home Improvement solutions under iconic global portfolios like the 3M Command™ Brand and Scotch™ Brand. The ideal candidate balances hands-on laboratory formulation with the technical management of external manufacturing partners (CMOs/ODMs). You will bridge the gap between bench-scale polymer chemistry and commercial-scale production using a scientific work approach, a strong collaborative mindset, and robust intellectual property awareness.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulation Design: Synthesize, modify, and optimize pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs), specialized sealants, and elastomeric functional coatings directly in our Bengaluru laboratory.
• Material Sourcing: Evaluate, select, and integrate structural backing films, liner materials, and specialized foams from global suppliers for high-performance, damage-free mounting applications.
• Vendor Management: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external manufacturing partners to oversee technology transfer, pilot runs, and scale-up trials.
• Lab-to-Scale Translation: Convert benchtop formulations into robust, high-speed manufacturing processes including slot-die coating, lamination, and web converting.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Navigate complex patent landscapes, identify competitive white spaces, and draft technical documentation to support freedom-to-operate (FTO) evaluations.
• Specification Ownership: Author raw material specifications, finished goods requirements, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and tech-transfer packages using standard documentation tools.
• Quality & Validation: Lead root-cause analysis for manufacturing deviations and establish rigorous mechanical test methods (peel, shear, tack, fluid absorption, and stretch-release profiles).

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience: Minimum 3–8 years of consumer goods product development experience, specifically covering adhesives, sealants, and nonwovens.
• Formulation Expertise: Demonstrated success in hands-on formulation of acrylic, rubber, or silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesives.
• External Manufacturing: Proven experience managing technical relationships, quality audits, or production scale-ups with external contract manufacturers.
• Product Background: Direct application history contributing to commercially successful double-sided mounting systems, clear tapes, utility hooks, or heavy-duty mechanical mounting tools.
• Software Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for data reporting, documentation, and presentations.
• Language Skills: Professional fluency in spoken and written English, Hindi, and the regional language to effectively collaborate with local teams and manufacturing partners.
• Travel: Flexibility to travel to vendor sites for trials, product validation and supplier audits.

Core Competencies

• Scientific Approach: A structured, methodology-driven work approach to research, development, and laboratory testing.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and logical reasoning skills to troubleshoot production issues and interpret complex material test data.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills tailored for technical reporting and vendor negotiations.
• Mindset & Teamwork: A proactive "Can-do" attitude and a proven track record as an effective, highly cooperative team player.

Preferred Skills

• Statistical Tools: Competency in Design of Experiments (DoE) software to optimize multi-variable lab formulations efficiently.
• Project Management: Familiarity with Stage-Gate product development processes and managing cross-functional timelines.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of ISO, ASTM, BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) and global regulatory constraints relevant to consumer goods (e.g., REACH, RoHS, VOC limits).

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

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