Product Development Engineer

Job Summary:

Join our dynamic team in Elkland, PA, as a Product Development Engineer, where you'll lead innovative product development engineering projects to bring new technologies and products to market. Your passion for nurturing new ideas and products will be key to thriving in this role. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and engage directly with leadership to foster strong partnerships and deliver exceptional results. Be the change agent in our pursuit of excellence!

*Must be currently residing in or near Elkland, PA, or willing to relocate closer to the area. *

*Must be willing to travel up to 10% to support other Westlake sites. *

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Generate Requirements: Work with customers and stakeholders to define requirements for new injection molded products, aligning with market demands and Westlake's strategic objectives.
• Investigate Solutions: Cultivate relationships with suppliers for the latest advancements in injection molding machinery and materials.
• Engage in Drafting, Design, and Flow Analysis: Utilize CAD tools for drafting and designing injection molded product designs, and perform mold flow analyses to optimize the manufacturing process and ensure quality standards.
• Trial Solutions: Oversee the prototyping and testing of injection molded products, using lab equipment and trials to enhance product performance and troubleshoot manufacturing issues.
• Collect Data: Drive cost efficiency and waste reduction through comprehensive data collection and analysis during product development.
• Share Results: Use statistical software to analyze data and communicate findings to support decision-making.
• Create a Robust Manufacturing Process: Document efficient and scalable injection molding processes, including detailed part design specifications.
• Commercialize the Product: Collaborate with sales, marketing, and manufacturing to move products from concept to market readiness, ensuring final product drawings and installation instructions are complete.
• Launch: Maintain industry knowledge through trade shows and training, aiding the introduction of new injection molded products to the market.
• Assist in Capital Planning: Help plan capital equipment budgets to enhance injection molding techniques for new product introductions.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Job Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from ABET accredited university in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials or Plastics Engineering.
• Experience:  Minimum 3 to 5 years of functional and HANDS-ON product design and development experience with demonstrated expertise in bringing new products from concept to commercialization.
• Knowledge of the manufacture, testing, analysis and application of Polymer chemistry.
• Six sigma green/black belt and knowledge of DOE, DMAIC, Fishbone, 5-Why, FMEA, statistical analysis, etc. is preferred.
• Communication:  Effectively communicate with all levels of employment both verbally and in writing.  Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships across a diverse organization are critical to success in this role.

Required Skills:

• Problem-Solving: Exceptional collaborative problem-solving capabilities required.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to make team-based, data-driven decisions for product and process optimization.
• Technical Proficiency: Solid understanding of our products, skilled in creating detailed 3D CAD drawings, and proficient in injection molding part design and flow analysis for product design and development.
• Analytical Testing: Adept at executing test trials, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
• Project Management: Proven effectiveness in managing complex technical projects with significant operational impact, organizing tasks and people efficiently.
• Communication: Strong skills at all levels to build consensus across diverse technical and operational teams.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  May require travel up to 10% of the time.  Incumbent must be able to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the office.  The position requires the incumbent travel to the various manufacturing facilities as much as 10% of the time.  The work environment at the facilities can include excessive noise levels, exposure to weather elements, working around or adjacent to moving and mobile equipment and climbing ladders.  Appropriate personal protective equipment including hearing protection, steel toe shoes, safety glasses and/or hard hats may be required while working in a facility.