Lead PD Engineer

About this Position

In this role, you will lead the end-to-end development and commercialization of new materials solutions. This includes formulation design, validation, pilot trials, and scaling products into manufacturing. You will work closely with cross-functional teams across Japan, China, Korea, and North America to translate customer needs and market insights into high-performance products.

What you´ll do

• Lead the development and commercialization of new paste, film, adhesive, sealant, and coating products.
• Manage formulation development, validation, scale-up, pilot trials, and manufacturing transfer activities.
• Analyze technical, customer, and market data to drive product innovation and development priorities.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions using data-driven methodologies.
• Drive process optimization, cost reduction, and formulation improvements.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects with teams across Japan, China, Korea, and North America.
• Prepare technical documentation and communicate project progress, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support regional Product Development Engineering (PDE) strategy and innovation programs.
• Ensure laboratory activities comply with safety, environmental, and quality standards.

What makes you a good fit

Must have

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of product development, formulation, or process engineering experience in the chemical, electronics, semiconductor, or advanced materials industries.
• Experience with chemical-based products, including product validation, scale-up, and manufacturing transfer.
• Strong data analysis and risk assessment skills, including experience with SPC, FMEA, Minitab, JMP, or equivalent tools.
• Business-level English and Japanese communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a global environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to product development.

Nice to have

• Master's degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• Experience with adhesives, sealants, coatings, films, polymers, or specialty chemical products.
• Experience working in a multinational organization with global project teams.
• French language skills.
• Experience leading innovation projects or managing multiple development programs.

Some perks of joining Henkel

• Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
• Diverse national and international growth opportunities
• Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
• Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
• Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
• Retirement Pension Plan (Corporate DC and CB composition)
• Sick Leave
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Supplementary Workers' Accident Insurance

At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We welcome all applications across different genders, origins, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, and generations.