Product Development Engineer (Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Area)

Product Development Engineer Plastic Compounds

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a Product Development Engineer with experience in polymer materials, plastics processing, and manufacturing to lead new product development for the building and construction materials industry. This role will manage projects from material selection and product design through prototyping, testing, scale-up, and commercialization.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in polymers and plastics processing with project management skills and the ability to work cross-functionally to develop high-performance, cost-effective products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Select and evaluate polymers, compounds, additives, and raw materials to meet performance requirements.
• Develop and optimize products and processes using injection molding, vacuum forming/thermoforming, compression molding, and other plastics technologies.
• Coordinate prototyping, tooling, production trials, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Establish product specifications and manage physical property, durability, and accelerated weathering testing.
• Analyze test results and resolve material, design, and processing issues through root-cause analysis.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing, cost reduction, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, milestones, and risks while coordinating R&D, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and customers.
• Support product launches, commercialization, and ongoing manufacturing improvements.
• Maintain technical documentation and stay current with polymer technology, sustainability, and applicable industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of product development or R&D engineering experience, preferably with polymer-based products.
• Strong knowledge of polymer materials, compounds, additives, and plastics processing.
• Experience with injection molding, vacuum forming/thermoforming, and compression molding.
• Experience with material characterization, product testing, and performance validation.
• Understanding of polymer durability, UV exposure, weatherability, and outdoor performance.
• Proven ability to manage projects from concept through commercialization and production scale-up.
• Strong problem-solving, project management, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with building and construction products, such as roofing, siding, decking, cladding, trim, or insulation.
• Knowledge of accelerated weathering testing and ASTM, ISO, or other relevant standards.
• Experience working with resin suppliers, compounders, molders, and external testing laboratories.
• Familiarity with recycled or sustainable polymers and material development.