Simulation Engineer – Plastics Processing

POSITION OVERVIEW

At Ascend Performance Materials, we are seeking a simulation Engineer specializing in injection molding simulation to join our highly skilled team of industry professionals and support our continued growth in engineering plastics.

As a member of the Ascend Performance Materials team, the simulation Engineer will conduct injection molding process simulations using Autodesk Moldflow to support product development, material selection, and customer applications involving polyamide materials. This role will provide technical expertise in mold filling, packing, cooling, warpage prediction, fiber orientation, and manufacturability assessment. The position will work closely with customers, application engineers, material scientists, and commercial teams to optimize part and mold designs, troubleshoot molding issues, and accelerate successful product launches.

This is an in-person position based in Chennai, India, and reports to the Global Application Development Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct injection molding simulations including fill, pack, cool, warp, fiber orientation, sink mark, weld line, air trap, and shrinkage analyses for thermoplastic components.
• Support existing core applications and strategic growth initiatives by leveraging Autodesk Moldflow simulation tools to predict and optimize the processing performance of Ascend's materials in customer applications.
• Collaborate with regional CAE and application development engineers to develop, review, and manage material characterization data, simulation models, technical analyses, and customer presentations.
• Evaluate part designs, gate locations, runner systems, cooling layouts, and processing conditions to improve manufacturability, part quality, and cycle time.
• Validate and correlate simulation results with molding trials, dimensional measurements, and customer production data to improve model accuracy and predictive capability.
• Plan, execute, and manage simulation activities to support project timelines and key customer development milestones.
• Conduct engineering analyses to support root cause investigations related to molding defects, dimensional instability, warpage, sink marks, short shots, weld lines, and other processing-related issues.
• Provide technical consultation to internal teams and external customers on injection molding best practices, mold design optimization, and process development.
• Support material selection activities by evaluating the molding behavior and processing robustness of Ascend materials in customer applications.
• Develop and implement innovative simulation methodologies, workflows, and best practices to support emerging applications, advanced manufacturing technologies, and new customer opportunities.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations effectively through simulation reports, technical presentations, customer meetings, and training sessions.
• Support customer visits, mold trials, and troubleshooting activities when required.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited university.
• 7 years of experience in injection molding simulation, plastics processing, or CAE engineering within the automotive, consumer goods, electrical/electronics, or general industrial sectors.
• Strong understanding of thermoplastic injection molding processes, mold design principles, and polymer processing behavior.
• Hands-on experience with Autodesk Moldflow Insight.
• Experience performing and interpreting filling, packing, cooling, warpage, fiber orientation, and shrinkage analyses.

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

About Us:

Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics focused on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. We are a fully integrated material solutions provider with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

Our global workforce makes the materials used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances, and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods. We are committed to safety, sustainability, and the success of our customers and our communities.

Why work at Ascend?

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values: OARS.

Our OARS values shape how we work, lead, and grow together. We take ownership, stay accountable, operate reliably, and support one another to deliver results safely and consistently. Through clear expectations, empowered decision-making, intentional communication, and continuous feedback, we create a culture built on action, visibility, and shared success.

Together, OARS gives us a shared language and clear direction. These values guide our decisions, shape priorities and set expectations as we move forward – aligned, focused and committed to creating performance materials that improve lives today and inspire a better tomorrow.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.