Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer

Location: Rocky Mount, VA (Highly Preferred). Also open to candidates near our sites in: Cincinnati, OH, Griffin, GA, Hartford, WI, and Toronto, ON.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Product Development Engineer to serve as our central technical resource for blown film operations. In this role, you will bridge the gap between concept and execution, ensuring the smooth flow of new product introductions and production trials. Operating under the direction of the Sr. Product Development Director, you will drive technical success on the production floor, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and act as a key driver for innovation and cost-out strategies across our film sites.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Lead Development Projects: Support and drive critical initiatives including film internalization, extrusion trials, raw material qualification, and the documentation of best practices across blown film sites and external partners.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a technical liaison between Sales, Operations, and both internal and external customers to translate market needs into executable manufacturing plans.

• Structure Development: Partner with corporate technical teams (Product Development, Innovation, and Customer Technical Service) to engineer packaging structures for new business opportunities.

• Trial Execution: Attend and support customer and internal trials on the production floor—both independently and alongside Customer Technical Service—to troubleshoot, make real-time technical decisions, and ensure successful product implementation.

• Innovation & Strategy: Work closely with the corporate innovation team to drive new film development projects that align with long-term strategic goals.

• Quality & Operational Support: Assist in troubleshooting quality issues, onboarding new business, and managing significant product adjustments between various film sites.

• Project Management: Keep development projects on track to meet expected delivery dates by monitoring critical milestones and providing regular updates to management.

• Sourcing & Material Optimization: Collaborate with corporate sourcing and plant teams to qualify new and alternative raw materials, supporting secondary sourcing and cost-reduction strategies.

• Supplier Engagement: Partner with raw material suppliers to communicate technical requirements and develop robust raw material specifications.

• Compliance & Safety: Maintain strict adherence to all Safety, Quality, Operational, and Employment policies, practices, and programs.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree preferred in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field.

• Experience: At least 5 years of experience in product development, technical service, process control, or quality control. Experience in flexible packaging or similar manufacturing environments is highly preferred.

• Technical Expertise: Significant hands-on experience in blown film extrusion or similar flexible film conversion applications is strongly preferred.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and stay organized in a fast-paced environment.

• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation) with the ability to influence staff, executive leadership, and clients alike.

• Problem Solving: A proactive, self-motivated professional who exercises sound judgment, thrives under challenge, and can identify operational needs to develop concrete solutions.

• Systems: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and Visio.

• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and protect sensitive business information.

• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel regularly, both domestically and internationally, as required by project needs.

Key Competencies

• Technical Capacity & Problem Solving/Analysis

• Results-Driven & Strategic Mindset

• Communication Proficiency & Team Orientation

• Ethical Conduct & Flexibility

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Environment: This role splits time between a professional office environment and a manufacturing facility. While on the production floor, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, airborne dust, non-toxic/nuisance chemical odors, high noise levels, and hot/humid conditions. Appropriate PPE (hearing protection, safety shoes, vision protection, etc.) is required.

• Physical Demands: Routinely utilizes standard office equipment (computers, phones, etc.). Regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, type, and communicate clearly. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Regular travel is required.