Product Developer – Polymer & Electrical Materials

About the role

3M is seeking an experienced Product Developer to lead the creation, optimisation and industrialisation of polymer‑based materials for medium‑voltage cable accessories and related electrical applications. You will translate customer and application requirements into innovative material and product solutions, focusing on polymer formulation, process development and lifecycle management.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and optimise polymer and elastomer formulations (cross‑linked polyolefins, EPDM/EPR, silicone, thermoplastics, thermosets, blends and composites).
• Design MV cable accessory products such as heat‑shrinkable tubes, stress‑control tubes, breakout systems, cable joints, busbar insulation and specialised adhesives.
• Conduct material characterisation, formulation optimisation, product validation and technical failure investigations.
• Develop, validate and scale‑up manufacturing processes including twin‑screw and single‑screw extrusion, co‑extrusion, multilayer extrusion, injection and compression moulding, cross‑linking and tube‑expansion technologies.
• Lead scale‑up from laboratory to commercial production, establish robust process windows and drive continuous‑improvement initiatives.

Required profile

• Strong technical expertise in polymer science, formulation and processing.
• Experience with electrical insulation materials and medium‑voltage cable applications.
• Proven ability to translate customer requirements into viable product solutions.
• Hands‑on experience in process development, scale‑up and validation.

Required skills

• Polymer formulation and compounding
• Extrusion (twin‑screw, single‑screw, co‑extrusion, multilayer)
• Injection and compression moulding
• Cross‑linking and tube‑expansion technologies
• Adhesive coating and lamination
• Material characterisation and product validation
• Process capability studies and continuous improvement