Coating Process Engineer

The Role

At Notpla, we’re at the forefront of sustainable, 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 will 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 Notpla — 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 £20 million Series A+ fundraise, enabling us to scale our growth and environmental impact faster than ever. Beyond offering meaningful roles and a vibrant working environment, Notpla 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 Notpla 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.

As a Coating Process Engineer your expertise in coating technologies, particularly extrusion coating and water‑based coating systems, will be essential in bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and pilot‑scale implementation. You will work hands‑on in both the laboratory and on pilot facilities, designing and executing coating trials, troubleshooting process challenges, and building technical knowledge that advances Notpla's mission across multiple concurrent projects. This role will be operating shoulder‑to‑shoulder with material scientists, material & product designers, and business development managers. You will drive your own projects from concept through pilot‑scale validation, while also serving as a process engineering consultant to project teams across the Innovation portfolio – accelerating collective learning and expanding coating process capabilities throughout the organisation.

This is a role for someone who sees process engineering as a creative discipline, where the challenge of making natural materials perform in existing industrial infrastructure is just as exciting as the science of the materials themselves. You will be pioneering coating processes for materials that don’t yet have established playbooks, constantly learning, adapting, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when nature meets engineering.

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 Notpla.
• 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.