Compound Engineer

Kenda Overview
Kenda is a recognized leader in tire/wheel production, with over 12,000 employees worldwide, where quality, honesty, and customer service are core values. We offer premium performance at a value price in a variety of tire markets to include: passenger car and light truck, powersports, bicycle, wheelchair and specialty tires. This position is an opportunity to be part of a “world-class” organization, with excellent advancement and growth opportunities.

As a global tire manufacturing company with more than 12,000 employees worldwide, Kenda Tire offers advanced tire products for many applications. Headquartered in Taiwan, the company supplies original equipment to many international automotive industries. With tire factories in Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Kenda is currently ranked in the top 25 tire companies in the world with global sales of approximately US $1.2 billion.

Kenda American Technology Center
Kenda American Technology Center (KATC) is responsible for advancing Kenda’s global design capabilities and developing new automotive, powersport, and bicycle tires for the North American marketplace. KATC was established in 2014 and is located in North Canton, Ohio. KATC currently has a staff of 50 and is expected to grow to 70~80 employees as Kenda expands its North American customer base. Departments include Tire Development, Tire Research, Tire Testing, and Tire Materials. Facilities include a Tire Testing Laboratory, Rubber Mixing Laboratory, and Material Analysis Laboratory in addition to the R&D office space.

Position Summary:

The Compound Engineer is responsible for developing materials for passenger cars and light truck tires to high performance bicycle racing tires. This position will assist senior compound chemists with researching, developing, and testing elastomeric materials used in various products, analyzing their properties and performance to optimize design and ensure they meet specific application requirements. This position will often collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement solutions across the product lifecycle, including material selection, testing, and quality control.

Benefits
• Competitive salary depending on qualifications and relevant experience.
• Benefits package includes medical, dental, life, accident, critical care, and short-term & long-term disability insurances.
• 401K retirement program with employer match.
• Paid holidays, sick, and vacation time.
• Employee purchase pricing on automotive, power sport, and bicycle tires.
• Collaborative learning environment.
• Relaxed office culture.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Material Science or Chemistry is required
• Experience in using laboratory equipment (Banbury mixer, mill, curing presses, etc.)
• Experience in elastomer compound formulations
• Experience in silica reaction mixing and silica-based formulations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Be able to read and understand safety data sheets
• Be able to handle and prep raw materials for lab mixing
• Be able to analyze lab data and form engineering conclusions
• Independent functioning, inquisitive, and flexible
• Willing to learn new techniques, expand ones’ knowledge
• Willingness to travel
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop new rubber compounds to help solve challenging tire performance problems
• Design and implement new rubber testing procedures and processes
• Recommend processing improvements and cost efficiencies
• Safely operate all lab equipment in materials lab, including mix and mill
• Communicate with global engineering team
• Work with an internationally diverse team
• Performs other duties as assigned

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)