Product Development Engineer

Job Title: Product Development Engineer

Location: City of Commerce, CA

Job Description:

The Product Development Engineer is responsible for designing and developing new products from concept to launch. This role involves evaluating raw materials, conducting experiments, supporting product testing, and ensuring timely completion of projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop new products from concept creation to launch.
• Evaluate new and alternative raw materials.
• Design and conduct experiments/trials to verify product performance.
• Prepare and support product testing plans; draft technical protocols and reports, including data analysis and conclusions.
• Develop accurate and complete specifications for new products.
• Conduct material and process changes to existing products following change control processes.
• Actively participate in and follow the phase gate system for new product development activities, providing assigned deliverables.
• Generate invention disclosures for new concept designs.
• Provide technical support to Sales, Operations, and Quality for product qualifications, process improvement programs, testing, and training.
• Utilize polymer science and engineering principles to solve product challenges.
• Design and/or modify test methods to ensure accuracy.
• Track product changes over the product lifetime and maintain design history files.
• Ensure timely completion of product design and development projects, prioritizing tasks as agreed with the PE&PD Manager.
• Maintain 5S in the PE&PD Lab.

Required Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills with a data-driven approach.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Proficiency with computers and experience with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong planning and organizing skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong aptitude for hands-on testing and experimentation.
• Attention to detail in all aspects of the job.
• Decision-making skills using available resources and sound judgment.
• Ability to write procedures, work instructions, trial protocols, project reports, and other related documents.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities efficiently.
• Adaptability to changes in the work environment and managing competing demands.
• Results-oriented and willing to work extra hours to "get the job done.".

Qualifications:

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science/Engineering, or Material Science and Engineering.
• 4-5 years of relevant industrial material science product development experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with polymers, polymer testing, and processing equipment (compounding, extrusion, etc.) is a must.

This position requires a proactive individual with strong technical expertise and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively, ensuring the successful development and launch of new products.

Relocation within the US is available for this role.