At Notpla we’re at the leading edge of sustainable innovation, creating natural alternatives to single-use plastic packaging that’s carefully engineered to create a healthier planet. Founded on the belief that nature knows best, we’re an innovative, ideas and action-oriented scale-up who develop and manufacture uncompromisingly natural packaging solutions from seaweed and plants.

As a Process Engineer, you’ll be joining an innovative, fast moving and agile Formulation & Process team that pride themselves on their pivotal research and development.

This is an exciting time to join Notpla, right on the brink of a record-breaking year for revenue and on-track for major growth in the next 18-24 months. Bolstering confidence in our financial performance, we have just secured a Series A+ fundraise for £20million, enabling us to scale our growth and environmental impact faster than ever. 

Led by strong values, all Notpla employees are encouraged to take responsibility for their domain, giving a high level of autonomy. Our aim is to build an inspiring culture that's reflected in our working policies, environment and employees.

Besides offering exciting roles and a great working environment, Notpla provides competitive salaries, the potential for EMI Share Options, a zero-carbon pension scheme, discounts with local businesses, and subsidised social activities. Our office first hybrid working policy allows you to work in the manner that maximises your productivity, while still creating a vibrant and collegiate work environment. We are a social business with regular clubs and events, and we are proud of how our diverse workplace has created a community that is all pushing towards the common goal of making plastic disappear.

We are seeking a skilled Process Engineer with expertise in natural polymers, injection moulding, compounding extrusion, and cast film and blown film extrusion processes with at least 2 years experience in industry. This role is crucial in supporting the scale-up of breakthrough products from lab prototypes to full production. Working closely with our cross-functional R&D and production teams, the Process Engineer will play a pivotal role in optimising our manufacturing processes, ensuring quality and efficiency as we move toward commercialisation.

Key Responsibilities

Process Development & Optimisation

• Develop and optimise scalable processes for natural polymer-based materials, focusing on compounding and cast film, extrusion, and injection moulding.

• Conduct process parameter studies and optimise conditions to achieve target material properties and production efficiencies, applying CP and CPK analysis to assess process capability in accordance with Six Sigma ISO 13053 standards.

• Collaborate with product development and engineering teams to ensure seamless process transitions from pilot to commercial scale, adapting to different factories and equipment..

• Design and execute experiments to establish robust, reproducible processes and identify areas for continuous improvement.

Technical Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot process-related issues, analysing root causes and implementing solutions in real time. Experience with conducting and implementing FMEA methodologies would be a plus.

• Address production bottlenecks through the rapid identification and resolution of technical issues.

• Work with production teams to establish protocols and training for troubleshooting common process challenges.

Pilot & Production Transfer Scale-Up Activities

• Lead or support scale-up projects and pilot/factory trials, focusing on achieving quality and production targets.

• Document all parameters, procedures, and findings in scale-up processes to create reproducible SOPs and best practices. Enable handover of R&D processes to production teams.

• Evaluate potential risks in scale-up activities and work to mitigate them through detailed planning and testing.

Project Management & Timeline Adherence

• Oversee process development projects with a strong focus on achieving milestones within specified timelines.

• Coordinate resources, plan project phases, and manage task prioritisation to meet tight deadlines.

• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement contingency plans to ensure on-time delivery. Proactively monitor project progress, anticipate potential risks, and implement strategic contingency plans to keep projects on track.

• Communicate project updates, delays, and resolutions effectively to all stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with R&D scientists, design engineers, and production teams to ensure process alignment with design and material requirements.

• Communicate technical updates and progress clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Quality Assurance & Documentation

• Ensure all processes meet company quality standards and regulatory compliance.

• Maintain accurate records of process parameters, trials, and adjustments for future reference.

• Document and implement quality improvement projects to enhance product consistency and reduce waste.

Equipment Maintenance & Development

• Coordinate with maintenance and engineering teams to oversee equipment management in the Pilot Center. 

• Manage equipment in our Pilot Center, and ensure regular calibration, maintenance,  and process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.and improvement for process efficiency.

• Research, recommend, and specify capital equipment that can enhance production quality or reduce development cycle times.

External Partnership Building

• Identify and engage with external partners, such as material suppliers, specialised contract manufacturers, and technology consultants, to fast-track scale-up activities.

• Manage external collaborations to enhance process capabilities and achieve project milestones, leveraging partnerships for resource access, technical insights, and faster execution.

• Coordinate and oversee joint trials and development activities with partners to ensure project alignment and adherence to company standards.