What are the responsibilities and job description for the 1345-Product Development Engineer (Textile Fiber Manufacturing) position at SP Associates?
We are looking for a New Product Development Engineer to lead our product development team. Manufacturing of yarns for carpet end uses. The successful candidate will oversee projects from concept ideation through
commercialization, focusing on making new fiber and custom color products. The engineer will also support existing products by conducting experiments to optimize process and product performance. This is a dynamic and exciting role that interacts with many customers and works on many initiatives. It is a high-visibility role with potential to grow in leadership, manufacturing, and customer support roles.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES INCLUDE AND ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Collaborate with customers on product requests, evaluating the feasibility and economic attractiveness of developing a new SKU
- Transfer customer requirements into a technical specification
- Develop pilot scale quantities of fiber, translating the process to commercial scale processes
- Evaluate new materials and technologies for suitability in the product development project
- Prepare project plans with detailed technical objectives and maintain timeline of activities
- Maintain project documentation, including process history, fiber properties, quality system documents, physical samples throughout the value chain, and risk management assessments
- Coordinate and resolve conflicting priorities in using production assets and personnel for product development
- Provide detailed test instructions and technical support when making new products
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITY
- Color Theory – understands color fundamentals and pigment formulation to match colors
- Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
- Fiber extrusion – Develop, demonstrate, and apply fiber extrusion fundamentals.
- Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work and uses time efficiently. Attention to detail, organized, able to meet
- deadlines.
- Quality control—demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, monitors own work to ensure quality and applies feedback to improve performance. Proven ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written and oral instructions.
- Quantity—meets productivity standards and completes work in a timely manner.
- Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and can deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events. Can function as a self-starter with the ability to work independently.
- Dependability—consistently at work and on time, follows instructions and responds to management direction.
- Interpersonal skills – Nurture and reinforce teamwork within and among functional areas
- Safety and security—observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly. Ability to read and interpret safety rules and instructions which are posted in English.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
- BS Engineering or 5 years’ experience in an extrusion/plastic manufacturing plant
- 5-9 years’ process engineering experience in support of a manufacturing environment
- Working knowledge of quality concepts (SPC, 6-Sigma, and Lean techniques)
- Prefer experience working for automotive tier 1 suppliers.
- Prefer experience in fiber manufacturing
- Prefer experience with color formulation and fiber dying
- Prefer experience in carpet manufacturing
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Able to lift up to 50 lbs
Monday – Friday 8AM-5PM
Travel < 10%
Humid Conditions: Under 1/3
Vibration: 1/3 to 2/3
High Noise Levels: Over 2/3
To be discussed during job interview.
