Senior Compound Engineer Location: Akron, OH Full-Time | Industry: Automotive Manufacturing Experience Level: Mid-Senior (7+ Years) Compensation: $101,000 $160,000 Relocation Assistance Provided | No Visa Sponsorship About the Role An automotive industry leader is seeking a Senior Compound Engineer with deep experience in OEM tire compound development . In this high-impact role, youll lead the development and optimization of tire compounds, collaborating with R&D, plant engineering, and global teams to meet rigorous customer performance standards for both OEM and replacement markets. Key Responsibilities Develop and optimize new tire compounds to achieve customer-specific performance targets.

Maintain and enhance performance of existing compound formulations .

Design and conduct lab studies to evaluate new material technologies and support continuous innovation.

Perform forensic analyses on new and in-use products to diagnose performance or durability issues.

Collaborate with OEM project teams to align compound selection with design and performance objectives.

Support plant-scale trials and manufacturing process studies, including mixing, extrusion, calendaring, and curing.

Stay ahead of regulatory compliance , sustainability requirements, and material sourcing developments.

Communicate findings and data with global R&D teams and contribute to strategic innovation efforts.

Must-Have Qualifications 515 years of compound development experience at an advanced tire manufacturer or OE supplier.

Proven experience with OEM tire development and familiarity with OEM validation cycles.

BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry .

In-depth understanding of compounding science including polymers, fillers, and reinforcements.

Direct exposure to plant operations including compound mixing, processing, and production support.

Comfortable working with cross-functional and international teams .

Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.

Must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally (passport required).

Nice-to-Have Skills Knowledge of DOE/statistical methods for formulation and material testing.

Awareness of global regulatory trends in tire materials and sustainability.

Familiarity with Lean, Quality, and On-Time Delivery principles .

This is a career-defining opportunity for a technical expert looking to make a global impact in the next generation of tire technology.