Material Process Engineer

Notpla Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering sustainable innovation company is seeking a Process Engineer to lead and manage manufacturing projects from concept to production. This role requires a strong technical background in manufacturing and experience with external partners. The company offers a hybrid working environment, competitive salary ranging from £33,500 to £42,000, and EMI Share Options as part of their compensation package. Join us to make a significant impact on sustainable packaging solutions.

Benefits

EMI Share Options

Zero-carbon pension scheme

Discounts with local businesses

Subsidised social activities

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in manufacturing or similar field.
• Experience delivering multi-disciplinary projects in a TRL-driven environment.
• Proven track record working with external manufacturing partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage manufacturing and scale-up projects from concept to production.
• Define project scope and technical requirements across TRL 3 to 8.
• Ensure projects meet performance targets and budgets.
• Drive industrialisation of new injection moulding products.
• Maintain quality control frameworks to meet specifications.

Skills

Strong technical background in manufacturing

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Experience with external manufacturing partners

Ability to translate technical challenges

Education

Degree in polymer processing, material science or related field

Job description

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 Process Engineer you will operate across Technology Readiness Levels 3 to 8; you will lead complex, multi‑disciplinary projects that bridge the gap between early formulation development and commercial scale production.

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 £20 million 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 Process Engineer you will spend your time working primarily through external manufacturing and production partners, you will be responsible for driving the implementation of new products, particularly injection moulded and coated materials, while coordinating the competing needs of Research, Development and Commercial teams. The role focuses on the delivery of complete products and projects rather than any single processing technology, ensuring robust scale up, improved product performance and long term operational efficiency.

In order to succeed in this role you will need a strong technical background in manufacturing, polymer processing, material science or a similar field. Experience delivering multi‑disciplinary projects in a TRL‑driven environment. Proven track record working with external manufacturing or tolling partners and have a strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate technical challenges into actionable plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage manufacturing and scale up projects from concept through validation to sustained production.
• Define project scope, technical requirements, timelines and risks across TRL 3 to 8.
• Ensure projects meet agreed performance targets, budgets and delivery milestones.
• Drive the industrialisation of new injection moulding products and material enhancements with external production partners.
• Translate development learnings into actionable production strategies, ensuring a smooth transfer from R&D to manufacturing.
• Oversee internal and external production trials, commissioning activities, and material qualification stages.
• Lead the development of new grades and product formulations, to match partners / customers technical specifications.
• Act as the technical and operational lead for external manufacturing partners.
• Maintain strong working relationships, ensuring shared understanding of project goals, performance metrics and quality expectations.
• Resolve production issues collaboratively and maintain transparent communication across internal and external teams.
• Establish and maintain quality control frameworks that ensure manufactured materials meet all internal specifications and industry standards.
• Conduct regular reviews, audits and root cause investigations where needed to maintain robust production performance.
• Demonstrable experience with 8D methods desired.
• Work closely with the Supply Chain and Operations teams to ensure material availability, production scheduling and inventory control.
• Support the integration of supply chain processes with expanding extrusion and injection moulding capabilities.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes with emphasis on sustainability, cost reduction and improved consistency.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, new technologies or alternative processing routes that enhance product performance.
• Provide technical guidance to Research, Development, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams.
• Influence decisions using data, process knowledge and technical credibility, even within teams outside your direct reporting structure.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence and delivery accountability.

Salary

£33,500 - £42,000 + EMI Share Options