Product Developer - Abrasives Systems Division

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Job Description:

Job Title: Product Developer

Division: Abrasives Systems Division

Location: Bangalore, India

Role Summary

The Product Developer- Abrasives Systems will be responsible for the development, engineering, and localization of nonwoven, coated, and portable bonded abrasive products. This role requires strong hands‑on technical capability, deep materials and process knowledge, and the ability to translate innovation into robust, manufacturable products through phase‑gate commercialization.

The individual will collaborate closely with global, area and India R&D, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and marketing teams to deliver differentiated abrasive solutions aligned with customer needs and regional market requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Develop and engineer nonwoven, coated, and portable bonded abrasive products from concept through commercialization.
• Apply materials science, chemistry, and process engineering principles to optimize performance, cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Lead formulation development, process optimization, and product robustness activities.
• Build and validate proof‑of‑concepts, prototypes, and pilot‑scale trials.
• Engineer products for desired cut, finish, flexibility, conformability, and durability.
• Work hands‑on with wet chemistry, coating, curing, and web handling equipment.
• Address performance attributes such as cut rate, life, heat management, and surface finish.
• Develop resin‑bonded cut‑off wheels and grinding wheels.
• Optimize wheel properties including strength, safety, cut performance, and operator comfort.
• Support molding, pressing, curing, and finishing processes.

Localization & Manufacturing Support

• Localize global technologies to regional raw materials, suppliers, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Qualify alternate raw materials and conduct equivalency and benchmarking studies.
• Provide technical support during scale‑up, technology transfer, and plant start‑ups.
• Troubleshoot quality, yield, and performance issues using root‑cause analysis and data‑driven methods.

Required Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related technical discipline.
• 7-10 years of experience in R&D, product development, or product engineering within abrasives or related materials industries.
• Demonstrated experience in nonwoven, coated, and/or portable bonded abrasives product development.
• Strong technical expertise in thermoset resin systems (phenolic, epoxy, urethane).
• Hands‑on experience with wet chemistry, formulation development, and pilot/manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with stage‑gate commercialization processes.
• Proven ability to support manufacturing scale‑up and quality consistency.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience generating patents or IP disclosures.
• Knowledge of abrasive product safety standards and testing methods.
• Experience localizing products for cost‑sensitive or emerging markets.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross‑functional or global project teams.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement, lean, or Six Sigma methodologies.

Key Competencies

• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Hands‑on, experimental mindset
• Customer‑focused product engineering approach
• Ability to influence without authority
• Passion for innovation and learning

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