Location
Hackney Wick

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
At Notpla, we’re at the forefront of sustainable innovation, creating natural alternatives to single-use plastic packaging that help build a healthier planet. Founded on the belief that nature knows best, Notpla is an innovative, action-oriented scale-up developing and manufacturing uncompromisingly natural packaging solutions from seaweed and plants. As an Extrusion Engineer in the Innovation team, you will develop breakthrough natural material technologies into scalable solutions. This role sits at the critical intersection of material science and industrial-scale extrusion processes, transforming innovative biomaterial solutions from early stages into commercially viable packaging alternatives that replace single-use plastics.

Your expertise in extrusion technologies, including compounding and extrusion coating, will be essential in bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and pilot-to-scale implementation. You will work hands-on in both laboratory and pilot facilities, designing and executing coating trials, troubleshooting process challenges, and building technical knowledge that advances Notpla's mission.

This is an exciting time to join Notpla as we approach a record-breaking year for revenue and major growth in the next 18–24 months. Supported by our recent Series A+ fundraise, we are scaling our growth and environmental impact faster than ever. Notpla offers 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 supports productivity while maintaining a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.

You will work collaboratively with material scientists, product designers, business development managers, and consortium partners. You will lead complex R&D projects from concept through scale validation, including a novel extruded material within a large EU-funded project. You will represent Notpla’s technical leadership within the EU consortium, collaborating with partners across the consortium and beyond.

This role requires balancing precision with speed and pragmatism, bringing rigorous process engineering discipline to a fast-paced innovation environment while maintaining a curious mindset to pioneer uncharted territory in natural materials.

Key Responsibilities
- Drive new and existing extruded natural material development projects through formulation and process development into scalable packaging and disposables solutions
- Design, organise, execute, and analyse coating trials in-house and at partner facilities
- Lead and coordinate extrusion trials, bringing process engineering expertise
- 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 natural material behaviour in coating processes including rheology, adhesion, film formation, and drying characteristics
- Collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams to solve complex challenges and blur disciplinary boundaries when needed
- Build and manage external relationships, liaising with academic institutions, R&D labs, toll manufacturers, and equipment suppliers
- Provide technical support for grant proposals and client projects
- Conduct rapid feasibility studies and set out technical strategies to solve process problems
- Stay current with technology advancements and industry trends, integrating new knowledge into projects
- Identify novel process technologies and equipment partnerships
- Design experiments, analyse data, document trials, and communicate findings effectively
- Contribute technical content to patent applications and intellectual property development

Experience
Proven experience in extrusion technologies including compounding and extrusion coating. Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate extrusion trials and scale coating processes from lab to pilot stage. Experience troubleshooting process challenges and conducting root cause analysis. Strong background in material and process development within packaging or related industries. Experience working collaboratively in cross-functional teams and managing external partnerships.

About you
Highly motivated and curious with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving. Ability to balance precision with speed in a fast-paced innovation environment. Strong communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. Comfortable working hands-on in both laboratory and pilot plant settings. Passionate about sustainability and pioneering natural material solutions. Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across disciplines and with external partners.

Qualifications
A degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related discipline is preferred. Relevant technical training or certifications in extrusion or process engineering are advantageous. Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends and technology advancements.