R&D Engineer: Polymers and Adhesives

Position: INGENIERO PARA DESARROLLO Y VALIDACIÓN DE MATERIALES

Who are we:

Antolin is a leading global automotive supplier; we are experts in designing, manufacturing, and supplying innovative solutions for vehicles around the world. Our product portfolio includes trim, headliners, and cockpits, as well as lighting and other interior systems. We offer comprehensive solutions with a focus on quality, safety, and sustainability. Our products are used in many of the world’s leading car brands. In fact, Antolin equips nearly 700 vehicle models around the world.

With 136 manufacturing plants and offices in 23 countries, Antolin has achieved this strong industry presence through 75 years of working with our customers in order to develop a complete cycle of component manufacturing, from their conception and design, through the development and validation stages, to their industrialisation and sequenced delivery.

We are working hard on spearheading the transformation that the automotive industry is currently experiencing with regard to vehicle interiors by collaborating with our customers. We do so in order to develop more sustainable and technologically advanced vehicles that are also adapted to the new needs and requirements of their passengers.

As part of this transformation, Antolin is committed to a sustainable business model that focuses on and creates value for all its stakeholders, including its customers, employees, investors, suppliers, and society as a whole.

Mission:
Develop and consolidate technical knowledge in adhesives and adhesion processes for automotive interior components, ensuring proper selection, validation, and approval in accordance with OEM requirements and corporate standards, while contributing to the company’s circularity and decarbonization objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Select and define material solutions for automotive interior components, focusing on adhesives, plastics, and coatings, in coordination with product engineering, process engineering, quality, and purchasing, supporting development projects, RFQs, and engineering changes.
• Define, implement, and ensure an early validation methodology for adhesives, substrates, and coatings, applicable during the development and pre‑development phases of projects.
• Technical validation and approval of adhesion solutions, planning of material and part testing (internal and external), analysis of results, and technical decision‑making, ensuring compliance with customer standards and PPAP closure related to materials.
• Provide technical support in resolving adhesion issues, in coordination with product engineering, process engineering, quality teams, and manufacturing plants.
• Ensure chemical and regulatory compliance of materials: IMDS, REACH, VOCs, and applicable legislation, managing the control of restricted or prohibited substances and the impact of regulatory changes.
• Comply with safety, health, and environmental (SHE) regulations applicable to the role in laboratories, innovation facilities, and plant visits.
• Eco‑design and sustainability: contribute to meeting objectives by supporting LCA/PCF studies of components and promoting alternatives with lower carbon footprint and emissions.
• Knowledge management: generate and disseminate knowledge in adhesives and adhesion processes within Antolin. Develop, maintain, and standardize technical documentation (specifications, technical criteria), ensuring traceability and availability in corporate systems (PLM / BUYONE / SAP), as well as providing technical training to engineering teams.
• Key relationships (internal and external).
  • Internal: Product Engineering, Process Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Laboratory, Sustainability, and Project teams (technical centers and plants).
  • External: OEMs (material/LAH/PCF requirements), laboratories, adhesive suppliers, and certification bodies.

We are looking for:

We are looking for a professionally solid and technically curious individual who can bring expertise in materials, adhesives, and industrial processes to our automotive interior projects.

If you identify with the following, we’d love to meet you:

• A degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering (materials specialization), or a related field.
• Additional training in adhesives, polymers, or adhesion processes is a strong plus.
• 3+ years of experience in the development, validation, or application of materials related to adhesion in an industrial environment — ideally in the automotive sector.
• Experience working on vehicle interior components (doors, IPs, hard trim) is an advantage.
• Solid understanding of industrial adhesives (hot-melt, PUR, acrylics, etc.) and adhesion mechanisms between coatings and substrates.
• Strong knowledge of automotive plastics, especially interior materials (PP, ABS, PC‑ABS, PA, etc.), including injection‑molding processes.
• Familiarity with coatings and laminates such as PVC, TPO, fabrics, microfibers, and natural leather.
• Experience with validation methodologies, testing, and result interpretation for materials and processes.
• Understanding of OEM requirements and industrial development frameworks.
• Fluency in Spanish and English (spoken and written).
• Knowledge of other languages will be considered
• High level of proactivity and strong results orientation.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams.
• Strong analytical mindset, ability to structure methodologies, and solve technical challenges.

What can we offer you:

• You will be part of a highly engaged multinational with international career opportunities.
• We offer you a learning journey adapted to your professional experience.
• You will work on international projects for world- renowned companies in Automotive sector.
• You can find an Open Environment to learn new technologies.
• We can offer you a competitive salary, benefits and valuable OEM discounts.

Here at Antolin, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all individuals and strongly support diversity in our workplace. We strive to create an inclusive environment for everyone, and we are committed to treating everyone in a fair and equitable manner. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities.  The Company reserves the right to revise the job description at any time.  Duties, responsibilities or activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.  The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily.  If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

DREAM. DARE. DO