Application Development Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

_ ** Application Development Engineer **_

The Application Development Engineer is the main technical contact between the customer and company. This position is responsible for all development and technical service activities at assigned accounts/markets. The packaging technology team is constantly iterating, solving problems, and working together to develop packaging solutions that are cost-effective, product-safety compliant, more sustainable, and satisfy customers’ needs.

Specific responsibilities include:

· Working closely with the Commercial Team to identify and successfully commercialize flexible packaging opportunities at targeted accounts.

· Leading technical activities to expand sales of existing structures, develop new flexible packaging structures, drive cost savings, and improve product performance.

· Building and maintaining strong technical customer relations.

· Translating customer requirements to company specifications and developing manufacturing instructions.

· Ensuring portfolio is aligned with the business priorities and the needs of the customer.

· Defining project success criteria, drawing conclusions based on data, making technical recommendations, and managing projects. Projects are often fast paced with high visibility.

· Developing and leading pilot, production, and filling/packing trials. Publishing trial reports for internal and/or external distribution.

· Coordinating activities to accomplish tasks using available internal and external resources.

· Providing routine technical service.

• Preparing written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and periodic reports for internal and external use.
• Traveling domestically and internationally to manufacturing plants, suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners.
• Maintaining complete and accurate work records, including documentation for intellectual property protection.

Required Skills:

· Strong material science knowledge (PE, PP, PET, nylon, paper and/or foil-based laminations).

· New product development, flexible packaging applications, project management, and customer relationships.

Required Experience:

· Bachelor of Science degree, preferably in Chemical Engineering or other Engineering discipline, Materials Science, Food Science, Packaging, or Plastics related field.

· 2-10 years of Flexible Packaging Product Development and manufacturing processes. Processes include printing (flexo/roto), adhesive lamination, coating, slitting, pouching, bagmaking and form/fill/seal conversion.

· Specific experience in poultry or other protein, meat snacks, hard-to-hold, retort, hot fill, personal care and/or liquid applications is a plus.

Positions located near Wilksboro or Charlotte, NC and Merrill or Appleton, WI