Extrusion Engineer

Notpla

THE ROLE At Notpla, we’re at the forefront of sustainable innovation, creating natural alternatives to single-use plastic packaging that are carefully engineered to help build a healthier planet. Founded on the belief that nature knows best, we’re an innovative, action-oriented scale-up developing and manufacturing uncompromisingly natural packaging solutions from seaweed and plants. As a Coating Process Engineer in the Innovation team, you’ll develop breakthrough natural material technologies into scalable solutions. This role sits at the critical intersection of material science and industrial-scale coating processes, where you'll develop and transform innovative biomaterial solutions in the very early stages into commercially viable packaging alternatives that replace single-use plastics.  This is an exciting time to join Notpla — we’re on the brink of a record-breaking year for revenue and on track for major growth in the next 18–24 months. To support this, we have just secured a Series A+ fundraise, enabling us to scale our growth and environmental impact faster than ever. Beyond offering meaningful roles and a vibrant working environment, Notpla provides competitive compensation, including EMI Share Options, a zero-carbon pension scheme, discounts with local businesses, and subsidised social activities. Our office-first hybrid working policy lets you work in the way that maximises your productivity while maintaining a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere. We’re a social business with regular clubs and events, and we’re proud of how our diverse, mission-driven community works together to make plastic disappear. Led by strong values, all Notpla employees are encouraged to take ownership of their domain, enjoying a high degree of autonomy. Our aim is to build an inspiring culture reflected in our working policies, environment, and people. As a Coating Process Engineer your expertise in coating technologies, particularly extrusion coating and water-based coating systems, will be essential in bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and pilot-scale implementation. You'll work hands-on in both the laboratory and on pilot facilities, designing and executing coating trials, troubleshooting process challenges, and building technical knowledge that advances Notpla's mission across multiple concurrent projects. This role will be operating shoulder-to-shoulder with material scientists, material & product designers, and business development managers. You'll drive your own projects from concept through pilot-scale validation, while also serving as a process engineering consultant to project teams across the Innovation portfolio - accelerating collective learning and expanding coating process capabilities throughout the organisation. This is a role for someone who sees process engineering as a creative discipline, where the challenge of making natural materials perform in existing industrial infrastructure is just as exciting as the science of the materials themselves. You'll be pioneering coating processes for materials that don't yet have established playbooks, constantly learning, adapting, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible when nature meets engineering. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Material & Process Development * Drive new natural material development projects through material and process development into scalable solutions. * Design, organise, execute, and analyse coating trials both in-house and at partner facilities, working hands-on to develop and optimise processes for natural material applications * Lead and coordinate coating trials across multiple projects, bringing process engineering expertise while learning the nuances of each technology * Develop coating processes for packaging applications, focusing on extrusion coating, water-based systems, and other paper coating technologies (flexo, gravure, curtain coating, etc.) * Troubleshoot coating defects and process challenges through root cause analysis and corrective actions * Scale coating processes from laboratory to pilot stage, anticipating and addressing scale-up challenges * Build deep technical understanding of how natural materials behave in coating processes, including rheology, adhesion, film formation, and drying characteristics * Characterise coating performance through systematic testing of barrier properties, adhesion, and mechanical properties * Mentor team members from various disciplines on coating process fundamentals * Plan and manage your own work effectively, balancing multiple concurrent projects Cross-Functional Collaboration & External Partnerships * Work shoulder to shoulder and collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including material designers, material scientists, business development managers, product designers, seaweed specialists, and more, to solve complex challenges * Blur disciplinary boundaries when needed to drive integrated problem-solving * Successfully create and manage external relationships and represent Notpla * Liaise with academic institutions, commercial labs, and equipment suppliers to organise third-party testing and explore technology partnerships * Provide technical support for grant proposals and client projects Feasibility & Strategic Technical Planning * Conduct rapid feasibility studies and pathfinding projects to evaluate coating process options for emerging material solutions * Set out technical strategies and approaches to solve coating process problems * Stay current with coating technology advancements and industry trends, integrating new knowledge into ongoing projects * Identify novel coating technologies and equipment partnerships that could unlock new capabilities for natural materials Data Analysis, Documentation & Communication * Design experiments, analyse coating trial data, and present findings with clear recommendations to drive decision-making * Document coating processes and learnings systematically to build institutional knowledge * Communicate complex process engineering concepts effectively to diverse audiences through written, visual, and verbal formats * Contribute technical content to patent applications and intellectual property development QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE * Diverse experience with Paper Coating processes for packaging (extrusion coating, flexo, gravure, etc.) * Proven track record of spearheading complex R&D projects and delivering technical breakthroughs. * Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences * Strong relationship management and cross-functional collaboration experience * Experience coordinating with external partners and managing trial logistics * Comfortable working in ambiguity, with agile methodologies in a fast-paced environment and adept at collaborating across various disciplines * Willingness to travel frequently for partner collaborations, trials, consortium meetings among others * Relevant degree in Material Science, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Packaging Engineering or a related field * Min 2 years of experience in Paper Coating material and process development * Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and critically. * Strong make-it-happen attitude. SALARY £33,500 - 47,000 + EMI Share Options

IRCA Group

Company IRCA Group is a leading international B2B provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry and gelato markets, serving independent producers and large food manufacturers. Core products include chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery/pastry ingredients.   Headquartered in Italy, IRCA Group has a strong track record of growth over the last decade. It has 22 manufacturing facilities worldwide, 2,400+ employees, and €1 billion in revenues.   What We Offer IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, embracing diversity and valuing diverse perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth by providing tailor-made development programs and career advancement opportunities locally and internationally. With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. Joining our team means becoming part of a global community of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference.   If you are looking for:   - a competitive salary - stimulating challenges - the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever-growing company   IRCA is the right place.    The Role We are seeking a reliable and multi-skilled Shift Engineer to join our team on. The ideal candidate would be confident in both mechanical and electrical disciplines. PLC and inverter experience would also be an advantage. You will need to be self-sufficient and proactive and work well alone or as part of a team.   The role will require you to repair and maintain a variety of extrusion, chocolate coating and bakery equipment. This work includes breakdown repairs, machine servicing and improvement projects.   This role is for a permanent night shift on a Continental 3’s & 2’s pattern, averaging 42 hours per week, working between Monday and Sunday (including weekends and Bank Holidays).

Hitachi Energy Sweden AB

The opportunity With continuous and sustainable growth of our business we take the opportunity to strengthen our expertise and capacity with a new position with focus on structural analysis and numerical simulations Main focus will be on mechanical stress analysis, but also fluid mechanics simulations and dielectric simulations will be within the scope on a project basis. You will be part of Hitachi Energy’s competence center for fiber-reinforced polymer composites and silicone elastomers in Piteå. We are a team with world-class expertise and experience in realization, verification, and production of polymer composite products. The main products are structural and electrically insulating components used in high voltage transformers and switchgear which are vital for the transition to fossil free energy. Our customers are all over the world, both inside and outside Hitachi. How you’ll make an impact Stress analysis and sizing of composite structures subject to mechanical and thermal loads to support new product development and order design. Simulation of our manufacturing processes (e.g. wet filament winding, oven cure, silicone extrusion) to develop process expertise further and support process optimization and increased robustness. Lead projects and activities related to development of design tools and design criteria. Documentation of designs and review of test results to improve design criteria. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g. design, quality, SCM, production) to solve complex engineering challenges and deliver robust solutions, both within our local/global organization and in cooperation with customers, suppliers, and academia. Apply robust analytical and critical thinking to solve complex challenges and to perform comprehensive risk reviews. Your background University engineering degree in composites engineering, applied mechanics, applied physics or similar. Expertise in Finite Element Analysis including experience with composite structures with layered anisotropic materials. Ability to cooperate and communicate both with experts at an academic level, as well as colleagues and project members with expertise in other areas Genuine interest and curiosity about technology. Ability and willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills. Team player who finds it easy to cooperate with others. Good communication skills in both spoken and written English and a basic understanding of Swedish are mandatory requirements. More about us Are you ready for a new exciting challenge? Does the above description sound like you? Welcome to apply! Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so don’t delay – apply today! Recruiting Manager Anders Holmberg, anders.holmberg@hitachienergy.com, will answer your questions about the position. Union representatives – Sveriges Ingenjörer: Marcus Nordlund-Oja, +46 107-38 31 93; Unionen: Per Lidman, +46 73 0500 603; Ledarna: Frank Hollstedt, +46 107-38 70 43. All other questions can be directed to Talent Acquisition Partner Filip Henriksson, filip.henriksson@hitachienergy.com