Archem Recruitment Site
New graduate recruitment, Career recruitment

[Job Description / Seat Pad Development]

JOBS

The challenge is something no one has ever known before.
"Ultimate comfort"

At the heart of mobility, we develop seat pads that maximize the potential for "comfort" while simultaneously achieving the performance our customers demand and maintaining high cost competitiveness.
Leveraging the unique compounding design and process control technologies cultivated during our time at Bridgestone, we are now also tackling challenges in environmental technologies (sustainable materials), such as introducing plant-derived raw materials and reusing urethane. Based at our Yokohama R&D Center, our mission as seat pad developers is to fundamentally support comfort in mobility and create the standards of the future.

Works related to seat pad development

The development of seat pads relies on the close collaboration of three specialized areas. Each of these fields deepens Archem 's technological capabilities.

Research and development of new materials

We create the seat pads of the future that combine thinness and ride comfort within the limited space of a car interior. By combining numerous raw materials at the molecular level and painstakingly repeating hypothesis testing, we derive the "unprecedented optimal formulation." In recent years, we have also focused on developing advanced sustainable materials, such as introducing plant-derived raw materials and reusing urethane, achieving a high level of balance between environmental performance and functionality, and creating innovative materials that will become the next generation's global standard.

New product development and design

With a focus on "making things look better and more comfortable," our role goes beyond simply designing products. We take a holistic view of everything from product specifications and molds to urethane materials and manufacturing processes, deriving the optimal solution. We tackle the seemingly contradictory and challenging task of "making things easy to manufacture, high-quality, and low-cost," achieving a win-win situation where everyone involved is happy. We work closely with sales and manufacturing professionals to nurture products from scratch. This is a field where you can fully unleash your creativity as an engineer, as the value you add directly impacts customer satisfaction.

Development of evaluation and analysis technologies

Quantifying the ambiguous feeling of "comfort" is also an important part of a development engineer's job.
Our R&D center is equipped with the latest evaluation and simulation facilities, including a 6-axis vibration exciter and motion capture. By utilizing our unique analytical methods to scientifically measure and visualize comfort, tactile feel, durability, and other factors, we can scientifically prove the comfort of Archem 's materials to our customers and earn their trust.

The rewards of developing seat pads

Our goal is to build unwavering trust with our customers through solid technical capabilities and honest manufacturing. And when various trials and errors culminate in a single product that forms the foundation supporting "comfort" in society, we experience the ultimate sense of accomplishment. This stage extends globally, and through activities such as specification-in at overseas locations, we provide an environment where you can transcend the role of an engineer and make significant strides as an individual.

The joy of creating something new after repeated trial and error.

The sense of accomplishment you feel when you develop a material with unprecedented performance is priceless. The moment you achieve the desired physical properties after repeated trial and error and painstaking thinking during development is the greatest reward of a development job. Being able to watch firsthand the process of a sheet pad that you designed at the molecular level being commercialized and released to the world is also a major appeal of this job.

Armed with technological evidence, we take on the challenge of solving social problems.

Environmental issues are now a global challenge. Our efforts in chemical recycling technologies and the development of plant-derived raw materials are directly linked to the realization of a sustainable mobility society. Furthermore, Archem 's technologies transcend national borders, supporting the global automotive industry, and there are abundant opportunities to incorporate new technologies into specifications at the forefront of our overseas bases in the United States, China, Thailand, and other countries.
Through industry-academia collaboration, you'll gain access to cutting-edge knowledge while your seat pad designs travel the world, becoming the next-generation "global standard." That overwhelming sense of scale will become your pride and joy.

Bringing together the expertise of professionals to exceed customer expectations.

Delivering "comfort" to our customers requires teamwork that transcends departmental boundaries. The urgent voices of customers conveyed by sales, and the uncompromising dedication of the manufacturing floor—the role of development is to bring these together and guide them to the optimal solution. At the end of this process, when we are able to create a product that exceeds customer expectations, and when we hear genuine exclamations of "This is the material we've been waiting for," the daily trial and error transforms into a tangible "meaning of work," becoming an unwavering driving force for us as developers.

Desired Person Profile

Starting with customer value, we connect "technology and people" and see things through to the end without backing down - Owner-centered development -

What we seek are individuals who start with customer value, connect technology and people, and have the ability to see things through to the end. It's not just about developing technology; it's about understanding customer challenges and needs, collaborating with people inside and outside the company, and taking responsibility for the project from start to finish. Even young employees, if they have the passion to create something new, can generate their own ideas, test them, and face high goals and challenging problems head-on. Through these experiences, they will hone not only their technical skills but also their judgment and communication abilities.
By mastering this sense of ownership, you will transcend the role of a mere engineer and grow into a leader who drives entire projects and a core member of the business. You will be able to thrive as a professional with strong charisma, someone who is sought after both inside and outside the company, with people saying, "We want to create new value together with you."

A spirit of inquiry that delves into the "why?" and gets to the heart of the matter.

It's essential to not only focus on the surface of things, but also to deeply understand the underlying principles and mechanisms (logic and data). Instead of simply concluding that experimental results are "somehow better/worse," it's crucial to thoroughly investigate "why did this number occur?" and "what are the reasons for the changes?" Staying attuned to global trends and social issues like carbon neutrality, and enjoying the process of repeatedly formulating hypotheses and testing them in response to unknown questions, will accelerate your growth as an engineer.
By continuously going through this "hypothesis testing" cycle, you will acquire overwhelming applicability skills that are not dependent on specific products and are applicable anywhere. Even if the materials or themes you work with change, you will be able to instantly grasp the essence of things and become a strong engineer who can derive reproducible optimal solutions, excelling in various fields.

The ability to involve those around you and act with a sense of urgency.

The development environment is constantly evolving. You can't stay confined to your desk or laboratory; you need to actively move things forward by visiting manufacturing sites, sales planning departments, other departments, and even customers, confirming the "actual product and situation" firsthand. We're looking for someone who can drive projects forward with speed, secure cooperation from others, and demonstrate strong leadership.
By mastering this "agility to engage those on the ground," you will grow into a global leader who can spearhead the resolution of various challenges both domestically and internationally. You will be able to instantly build relationships with overseas offices and teams with different cultures, and play a key role in moving the organization to the next stage with a sense of urgency.

Flexible "straightforwardness" and "dedication" to craftsmanship

It's about balancing the flexibility to accept others' opinions with an unwavering commitment to quality and technology. The ability to readily accept new knowledge and advice from customers and other departments, and to update oneself accordingly, is essential for growth. On the other hand, it's equally important to never compromise in manufacturing and to have a strong commitment to one's work, always striving to make things better. We believe that those who can approach their work with sincerity while maintaining this sense of balance are the ones who will thrive as engineers leading the next generation at Archem.
By achieving a high level of balance between honesty and dedication, they will grow into "pillars of the organization" who pass on Archem 's DNA (technical prowess and pride) to the next generation. While continuously updating themselves in line with changing times and environments, they will uphold the principles that Archem will never compromise on. Such individuals will become "role models" that their juniors look up to and support the organization.

Related academic disciplines : ACADEMICS

chemistry

machine

Electrical and Electronic

engineering

etc.

Message from a senior employee

The appeal of sheet development lies in integrating diverse knowledge, such as material design and analysis, to create a single product. Currently, alongside product design, I am also working on developing predictive technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency. The greatest reward is seeing my ideas take shape and contributing to the company and our customers. Furthermore, even as a junior employee, I have a certain degree of autonomy, from selecting suppliers to adjusting production processes at actual factories. It's an environment where you can steadily grow as an engineer across a wide range of technical and operational areas while feeling the satisfaction of driving projects forward under your own responsibility.

Ryohei Goto

Year of joining the company: 2019 (transferred from Bridgestone)
Affiliation: Seat Pad Product Design Team
*Currently stationed in New York, USA (seat pad manufacturing and sales base)
Background: Science background (majoring in Information Science)

[Recruitment Information]

RECRUIT

Comfort
Spread throughout the world

At Archem, we are looking for people to join our team. Whether you want to pursue a diverse career path or leverage your expertise to become an immediate asset, we have the perfect path for you.