Job Summary: Lead and manage the most complicated product development projects resulting in differentiated products that meet sales and marketing objectives and provide strategic business growth. Launch these new products into production ensuring quality through robust designs and control plans. Identify potential manufacturing process improvements. Conduct “proof of concept” testing and evaluation on those ideas, transferring proven technologies and concepts into operation. Identify suppliers for existing and new raw materials, reducing supply chain risk and product cost. Work with Quality to address quality and field issues through Root Cause / Corrective Action (RCCA). Mentor and train other engineers in polymer science and testing.
Duties/Responsibilities: In conjunction with the VP Engineering & Quality and other Development Engineers:
Lead new product development projects to expand markets and product offerings including the most difficult and complex projects. This project would be characterized by performance requirements that work against each other, and/or involve materials and processes not currently in Radix’s scope of work.
Research process technology advancements to determine methods that will improve productivity, establish competitive advantage, and improve quality for both legacy products and new development.
Investigate new raw material opportunities by partnering with key suppliers to improve product quality, reduce material costs, enhance product performance, and reduce sourcing risk for both legacy products and new development.
Manage new product launch programs so that they are properly evaluated, planned, executed and launched.
Pioneer new test procedures to accelerate product development or reach into new applications and/or new markets
Attend key industry conferences to investigate opportunities for new product growth, new raw materials, and new processes.
In conjunction with Sales and Marketing, obtain Voice of the Customer as much as possible for both legacy products and new development.
Provide technical support to production staff relative to ongoing process controls and new product production ramp-up as required.
Document the development process resulting material and process specifications and control plans allowing products to be smoothly and efficiently launched into production.
Participation in industry committees is expected.
Mentor other engineers in polymer science and testing.
Required Skills / Abilities:
Experience in testing and evaluating polymer compounds.
Excellent project and time-management skills with proven multi-tasking capabilities.
Ability to work independently. Self-Starter. Drives for results. Pushes team members to complete actions on time and accurately.
Strong creative and entrepreneurial spirit.
Strong theoretical and analytical skills in polymer plastics including compounding and cross-linking.
Able to communicate effectively at all levels within the organization.
Good business judgment. Demonstrated ability to think “outside-the-box” about new business opportunities that could utilize core competencies to stimulate growth.
Able to prepare business justification plans to validate new project efforts.
Travel: 0-20%
Education and Experience:
Advanced degree (MS, PhD) in Material Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Engineering curriculum.
At least 10 years relevant experience plastic compound product development and/or selection (silicone, XLPO, PE, FEP, PFA…).
Wire and Cable experience preferred.
Experience in extruded plastic and compounding processes is required.
Previous experience with industry regulatory agencies (UL, CSA, NEMA, IEEE, NFPA, etc.) is preferred.