New Product Development Engineer

Role details

Description

Xamax Industries is a diversified global supplier of high-quality products to both commercial and consumer markets. We specialize in natural and synthetic fibers, Kraft and tissue papers, thermoplastic films, natural and synthetic nonwoven fabrics, and value-added laminations and coatings which are tailored to our customers' process and performance requirements. Xamax is an ISO certified organization located in Seymour, CT.

This position is responsible for developing new products and process as well as gathering and evaluating competitive samples, performing tests and analyzing financial and scientific results. Works with internal staff and external resources to reach conclusions and recommendations. Work with the General Manager on qualifying new, second sources and less expensive materials without sacrificing product performance.

Reports to: General Manager, VP New Product Development.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaise between New Product Development and internal/external test labs
• Research customer needs, both known and emerging
• Interface with suppliers to obtain sample products, TDS and understand basic processing parameters of materials
• Prepare for and attend manufacturing trials
• Research and identify sources of materials to include material characteristics and pricing
• Perform basic cost analysis on experimental products encompassing materials, labor, freight, scrap and overhead
• Post evaluation and summarize lab reports of prototypes; assist on analysis
• Work with the Product Development Team to evaluate and analyze competitive products
• Compile engineered sample packets for customer evaluation and testing
• Coordinate and prepare substrates for lab line runs along with setting up preliminary run sequences
• Perform postmortem analysis and screen tests on prototypes made internally and by Xamax supply chain partners
• Work with the GM and experts to identify new, secondary and cheaper sources of materials, test and qualify each, and work with the sales team and customers to ensure each meets quality and manufacturing specifications
• Assist the GM and CEO as appropriate on additional developmental projects

Skills Required

• Three to five years of experience in material manufacturing preferred, ideally in composites comprising nonwovens, polymers, films, fibers and/or emulsions
• Engineering background required
• Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science strongly preferred
• Knowledge of materials: thermoplastic polymers and additives, papers, synthetic non-wovens
• Knowledge of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Products), chemical engineering and plastics helpful
• Proficient with online research, data tabulation and manipulation
• Comfortable in a small industrial R&D environment
• Team player with the ability to work well in groups as well as independently
• Ability to travel to vendor and customer sites to perform tests and explain results

Location

On-site in Seymour, CT. The employer is specifically looking for candidates willing to live in or near the Seymour area.

Benefits

Competitive pay, medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k plan, generous paid time off, 10 company-paid holidays, life and disability insurance, and tuition assistance.

Posted directly by the employer on Crosslinked.