Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

Position Summary

The Materials Development Engineer (Engineer II) is responsible for the optimization and control of rubber compounds and other related materials and processes to ensure product performance, quality, cost efficiency, and manufacturability. This role applies engineering principles and data-driven analysis to troubleshoot complex process issues, improve material formulations, and support scalable production across manufacturing operations.

This position operates with independent judgment and contributes to cross-functional engineering initiatives aligned to business and operational objectives.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

- Evaluate and optimize rubber compounds to meet product performance, cost targets, and process performance including; mixing, milling, calendering, bannering, extruding, and belt and hose product building.
- Evaluate alternate raw materials for discontinuations, supply shortages, cost downs, and undesirable chemical replacements.
- Collaborate with global materials and product engineering teams to transition formulations into production




- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield, scrap reduction, cycle time, and material cost optimization
- Analyze production and laboratory data to identify trends, sources of variation, and improvement opportunities
- Communicate complex engineering data verbally and through prepared reports to general, cross-functional teams
- Provide engineering guidance to production, quality, and procurement teams
- Support adherence to safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements

Keys to Success

- Keeps self-control in hard situations.
- Strong Communication skills
- Problem Solving and decision making.
- Costumer focus (internal and external)
- Negotiation skills
- Creativity, proactivity, and teamwork.
- Problem Solving process.
- Exceptional attention to internal and external customer requests
- Negotiation skills

Supervisory Responsibilities

- This position doesn’t have Supervisory Responsibilities

Requirements And Preferred Skills

- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or related field
- 2–4 years of engineering experience in manufacturing, materials, or process engineering
- Experience in rubber compounding, polymer science, or chemical processing




- Exposure to high-volume manufacturing environments
- Lean Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement experience
- Strong understanding of materials science and rubber compounding principles
- Statistical analysis and process control (SPC, Cp/Cpk)
- Design Of Experiments (DOE) and structured problem-solving methodologies
- Ability to translate lab data into production processes
- Familiarity with manufacturing systems (MES, ERP)
- Independent problem solving and technical decision-making
- Ability to evaluate trade-offs between quality, cost, and manufacturability
- Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail
- Collaboration across technical and operational teams
- Fluent in Spanish, Proficient in English

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

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📌 Compounder (Toluca de Lerdo)
🏢 Gates
📍 Toluca de Lerdo