Georg Fischer, LLC., a world leader in industrial plastic piping systems, seeks highly motivated Research and Development Materials Engineer. Reporting to the R&D Engineering Team Lead, you will work in a laboratory setting to conduct applied research and material development aimed at improving existing material formulations, products, and processes as well as generating new ones. This person will be involved in material development initiatives that traverse the GF organization

Summary:

This position will also be responsible for supporting research and development, production and major engineering projects. Assist in sustainable throughput improvements with material selection and production. Design projects to standardize Materials and Process to implement and maintain high quality documentation on processes and procedures.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize new and existing pipe and fitting compounds in conjunction with in-house and external R&D laboratories
• Investigate material properties and enhancements that facilitate GF position as market leader
• Provide technical direction for internal materials testing and oversee external testing
• Collaborate and support in-house counsel in all product defect claims. Attend offsite destructive testing as technical representative of the organization. Actively participate and support mediation activities.
• Apply creative thinking, technical analysis, and project management skills to contribute to material, product, and process innovations
• Ensure that all existing and new formulations meet all design, regulatory, and internal quality standards and specifications
• Work with Quality Control and other production personnel to improve existing product, formulation, and process quality standards
• Assist other GF locations with any material evaluation needs
• Understand how formula components, major and minor ingredients, interact with each other for performance during manufacturing, processing, and in the end product in the intended environment
• Perform comparisons and analyses of results to contribute to technical and product innovation
• Maintain, operate, and calibrate laboratory equipment, including necessary supplies
• Keep accurate records in the form of a laboratory notebook and make sure records are filed correctly so new advances can be patented as necessary
• Ensure that all operations adhere to both company and government regulations
• Maintain a safe laboratory environment
• Write basic test protocols, execute testing, record data, and write summary reports
• Performs all other duties as may be assigned by the R&D Engineering Team Lead.

Knowledge & Skill Requirements:

This position should possess the following skills/knowledge:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Polymer Science or Materials Engineering
• 5 years of proven experience in a similar role
• Takes direction and feedback well and then acts independently
• Strong interpersonal skills needed
• Effectively interacts with others
• Core knowledge of plastic material fundamentals
• Strong analytical skills required
• Ability to multitask and adhere to deadlines

Core and Critical Competencies

Core Values:

• Excellence in Reputation
• Market Minded
• Grow Stakeholder Value

The following competencies in which all employees shall have a satisfactory level of skills:

• Interpersonal Skills Customer Focus
• Diversity Orientation Leadership Communication
• Problem Solving Skills Team Building
• Technical Speaking Skills Strategic Thinking
• Project presentation Skills Service Orientation
• Industrial Awareness Technical Expertise Focus on Ethics

Technical Skills:

• Proficient with Polymer Science, Material Science, and Materials Testing
• Knowledge of extrusion and injection molding of plastics and production level blending of compounds
• Ability to use equipment to include, Impact tester, Tensile tester, FTIR, DSC, TMA, TGA and other lab and measurement equipment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA Standards for Industrial Applications.
• Plastics experience with PVC, CPVC, PP, PE, ABS, PET, and PVDF and others engineered polymers
• Knowledge of processing materials through various types (makes) of extrusion and injection molding machines.
• Strong technical report writing skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Walking – frequently 4-5 hrs
• Standing – 2 hrs
• Climbing – occasionally
• Squatting/Stooping – Rarely
• Reaching – occasionally ? Lifting - up to 40# frequently
• Lifting – 50# to 75# with assisted apparatus (overhead crane/forklift)
• Noise in the range of 65-100 decibels

Safety Requirements:

• The employee is responsible to comply with all company and government safety regulations and procedures.
• Must wear proper PPE

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Yearly bonus