Product Development Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Product Development Engineer. This position will report to the Product Development Leader within First Quality's Print & Packaging division located in Anderson, SC. The position leads product development projects and can select technologies to use to meet customer demands. Works with and provides technical expertise for continuous improvement activities of the process teams for new and existing products within the FQP&P facility. This role will also work in collaboration with each facility's quality managers and Product Development resources (including benchmarking and sharing of best practices). This individual must be able to participate in production trials and train others in testing methods.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Investigates new structures and technologies and apply them to print and packaging existing and new product portfolio.
• Develop new product lines to expand our current product offerings.
• Assists in planning, conducting, analyzing, & interpreting technical services.
• Responsible for project planning and execution on commercial and pilot line trials.
• Responsible for evaluating analytical data and relaying the information to non-technical individuals.
• Develop proprietary technology with equipment and/or process changes to meet customer needs with the lowest cost solution.
• Responsible for organizing Product Development pipeline and consumer testing plans.
• Responsible for Product Development capital projects.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism at all times.
• Must be self-sustainable and self-sufficient and have a high drive and determination.
• Must be goal-directed and assertive with professionalism and high creativity; a balance of compliance, independence, and ability to work collaboratively.
• Must understand the business and be able to make complex decisions, having great organizational skills.
• Demonstrate honor, character, and perseverance; able to build peer relationships.
• Management of the NPD Stage Gate Process for concept to commercialization.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Chemical Engineering degree with film experience; Masters or PHD preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years in industrial experience; minimum of 2 years Product Development expertise.
• Specific expertise in the following areas: Project Management, Consumer Testing, Material Testing, Equipment Design, Trial Planning and Execution, Intellectual Property.
• Experience developing patents is preferred.
• Knowledge of packaging formulation and process understanding.
• Ability to work within and lead in a High Performance Work System at multiple locations (lead without authority).
• Knowledge of material science and analytical testing procedures.
• Knowledge and use of statistical analysis and use of Design of Experiments.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to develop and organize multiple projects.

• Ability to work with a diverse, cross-functional team of professionals to deliver against key objectives and timelines.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Minitab, as well as other office systems.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (years' worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums

...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.