Polymer Manufacturing Engineer

Primary Function: Responsible for technical support of Foster’s manufacturing operations. Responsible for establishing process conditions of new products and optimizing process conditions of existing products. Provides leadership to the company’s engineering efforts including process engineering development, and project planning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Optimize existing manufacturing processes to maximize throughput while meeting customer quality performance standards.

• Review formulations and make recommendations on improvements when applicable.

• Troubleshoots processing issues on existing manufacturing processes. Assists in resolving equipment problems.

• Evaluates new equipment for use in Foster’s manufacturing operations.

• Assists in the installation of new equipment into Foster’s manufacturing operations.

• Recommends projects to improve existing manufacturing operations.

• Assists maintenance engineering on projects involving maintenance and upgrades of equipment.

• Develop manufacturing processes for developing products.

• Responsible for scaling up products from sample runs to large-scale production.

• Support existing products by assisting manufacturing and QA in solving product problems that are related to manufacturing processes.

• Generate projects or technical reports for internal or external purposes.

• Document process improvements

• Create or modify work instructions.

• Successfully completes engineering work in the following areas: technology development, product, and process design and development, testing of materials, preparation of specifications/verifications/validations, process study, and transfer into production.

• Interfaces with customers and Foster sales and marketing to identify needs, obtain performance feedback, and translates customer needs into product concepts, product requirements, and design specifications.

• Preparation of technical documentation and procedures.

• Troubleshoots processing issues on existing manufacturing processes.

• Provides technical support to Operations, Sales, and QA concerning materials, processes, and problem-resolution initiatives.

• Works closely with customers developing and understanding their requirements, time frame, and funding limitations.

• Work with potential customers to define project background, description, scope, desired outcome, and deliverables.

• Develops project plans specifying goals, strategy, scheduling, identification of risks, contingency plans, and allocation of available resources.

• Plans and manages the project development efforts including customer interaction, specifications, and design input documentation, product design requirements, manufacturing process development, risk analysis, design control, and process validations.

• Assists in the installation of new equipment into Foster’s manufacturing operations

• Create a Bill of Materials for new products as well as create initial blending and process conditions of the product.

• Other duties as directed or assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Required to give direction to direct reports or others working on or aiding in customer projects.

• Conduct performance reviews.

• Manage time keeping of direct reports.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Polymer Processing and polymer materials is necessary.

• Expertise in compounding polymers and blending techniques. Works well in a team-based work environment.

Education and/or Experience: B.S. in Engineering or Science and a minimum of 3-5 years’ work experience in a related field preferred, Experience may be substituted for education.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Language/Communication Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret documents including safety rules, operational instructions, procedure manuals, and MSDS sheets.

• Ability to write routine reports.

Computer Skills: Must be proficient in using system programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Other Required Ability:

• Reasoning ability to include; the ability to apply common sense to carry instructions in written, oral, or diagram form, deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.

Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations: None.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, talk, and hear.

• Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

• Specific vision ability includes close vision and color vision..

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Regular exposure to fumes or airborne particles.

• Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and vibration.

• Normal exposure to moderate noise levels.

Travel Expectations: Little to no travel is needed for this role with the exception of training opportunities, Foster West visits, and/or possible trade show participation.

Telework Conditions: All remote work needs to be pre-approved on a case-by-case basis based on time in position, length of request and performance in role. It is to be the exception as a general rule; the position is in office.

Pathogen Exposure Risk: Very Low.

Various benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, spending accounts and 401(k).