Coating Process Engineer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 21 March 2026
LOCATION
Hackney Wick, London
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
SALARY
£47,000 / year
CATEGORY
Manufacturing
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Extrusion Coating Water-based Coating Systems Process Engineering Material Science R&D Coating Trials Packaging Problem-solving

FULL DESCRIPTION

At [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk], 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 Coating Process Engineer in the Innovation team, you’ll develop breakthrough natural material technologies into scalable solutions. This role sits at the critical intersection of material science and industrial-scale coating processes, where you'll develop and transform innovative biomaterial solutions in the very early stages into commercially viable packaging alternatives that replace single-use plastics.

This is an exciting time to join [Employer hidden] — 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 Series A+ fundraise, enabling us to scale our growth and environmental impact faster than ever.

Beyond offering meaningful roles and a vibrant working environment, [Employer hidden] 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 [Employer hidden] 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.

Key Responsibilities

  • Drive new natural material development projects through material and process development into scalable solutions.
  • Design, organise, execute, and analyse coating trials both in-house and at partner facilities, working hands-on to develop and optimise processes for natural material applications
  • Lead and coordinate coating trials across multiple projects, bringing process engineering expertise while learning the nuances of each technology
  • Develop coating processes for packaging applications, focusing on extrusion coating, water-based systems, and other paper coating technologies (flexo, gravure, curtain coating, etc.)
  • Troubleshoot coating defects and process challenges through root cause analysis and corrective actions
  • Scale coating processes from laboratory to pilot stage, anticipating and addressing scale-up challenges
  • Build deep technical understanding of how natural materials behave in coating processes, including rheology, adhesion, film formation, and drying characteristics
  • Characterise coating performance through systematic testing of barrier properties, adhesion, and mechanical properties
  • Mentor team members from various disciplines on coating process fundamentals
  • Plan and manage your own work effectively, balancing multiple concurrent projects

Cross-Functional Collaboration & External Partnerships

  • Work shoulder to shoulder and collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including material designers, material scientists, business development managers, product designers, seaweed specialists, and more, to solve complex challenges
  • Blur disciplinary boundaries when needed to drive integrated problem-solving
  • Successfully create and manage external relationships and represent [Employer hidden]
  • Liaise with academic institutions, commercial labs, and equipment suppliers to organise third-party testing and explore technology partnerships
  • Provide technical support for grant proposals and client projects

Feasibility & Strategic Technical Planning

  • Conduct rapid feasibility studies and pathfinding projects to evaluate coating process options for emerging material solutions
  • Set out technical strategies and approaches to solve coating process problems
  • Stay current with coating technology advancements and industry trends, integrating new knowledge into ongoing projects
  • Identify novel coating technologies and equipment partnerships that could unlock new capabilities for natural materials

Data Analysis, Documentation & Communication

  • Design experiments, analyse coating trial data, and present findings with clear recommendations to drive decision-making
  • Document coating processes and learnings systematically to build institutional knowledge
  • Communicate complex process engineering concepts effectively to diverse audiences through written, visual, and verbal formats
  • Contribute technical content to patent applications and intellectual property development

Qualifications & Experience

  • Diverse experience with Paper Coating processes for packaging (extrusion coating, flexo, gravure, etc.)
  • Proven track record of spearheading complex R&D projects and delivering technical breakthroughs.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
  • Strong relationship management and cross-functional collaboration experience
  • Experience coordinating with external partners and managing trial logistics
  • Comfortable working in ambiguity, with agile methodologies in a fast-paced environment and adept at collaborating across various disciplines
  • Willingness to travel frequently for partner collaborations, trials, consortium meetings among others
  • Relevant degree in Material Science, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Packaging Engineering or a related field
  • Min 2 years of experience in Paper Coating material and process development
  • Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and critically.
  • Strong make-it-happen attitude.
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