Development Engineer

PLIANT CORPORATION

 

Since our founding in 1992, we have grown to become one of the world's largest producers of value-added films and flexible packaging products. We offer one of the most diverse product lines in the film industry and have achieved leading market positions in each of our major product lines. With approximately 3,000 employees in 23 manufacturing plants worldwide and revenues over $1 billion annually, we are committed to delivering superior value to our customers. We currently have Technical openings in Newport News, Virginia Technical facility.  For more information about Pliant, see www.pliantcorp.com

 

Product Development Engineer: 

The Product Development Engineer will be responsible for all aspects of new product development and commercialization of cast, embossed, blown & packaging films for various film markets.  The individual must understand polymer resin systems, film processing, and physical testing to achieve desired physical, aesthetic, and performance requirements. The position reports to a Technical Director and will be a key position in developing value added film products for Pliant Corporation.  The position will interface with Marketing, Engineering, Sales, Manufacturing, and Quality groups as well as the customer.



 

Responsibilities:

 

? Extensive customer interaction with technical level personnel to understand film requirements for new product proposals.  Must define those requirements using key physical properties, visual standards, and performance characteristics.

? Establishes and maintains customer contacts/relationships that are essential to attaining the objectives of Pliant?s business and the Technology groups.

? Assists Sales and Marketing personnel during customer calls by providing technical expertise and summarizing process capabilities.

? Extensive supplier interaction with technical level personnel to stay current with state-of-the-art polymer resin systems, processing equipment, and physical property testing techniques and investigates their potential application.

? Leads Pliant Corporation to new levels of product technology and market expertise.

? Determines priorities with the Technical Director, implements assigned projects and maintains detailed documentation as required.

? Develops and scales up to commercialization of new film products and provides core maintenance on these products by staying abreast of new technology.  Also responsible for taking the commercial product technology to the ?next generation?.

? Recommends incorporation of new technology for company applications where feasible and practical.

? Resolves Customer complaints.

? Interfaces with and provides technical support to production personnel for release of new product programs and procedures

? Provides liaison with customers, test labs, and vendors relative to existing and new product introduction.

? Maintains records and files for all related source documents pertaining to film development and formulations.

? Occasionally conduct presentations on appropriate technical subjects at industry conferences and meetings.

? Average travel between 40% and 60% of time.

 

Qualifications:

? Technical degree plus 5 years (+/-) in plastics processing industry including extensive customer and product development experience with film, extrusion coating, orientation, laminating, and other film converting processes.

? Strong development skills including knowledge of polyolefins, chemical additives and design of experiments.

? Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills.

? Strong communication skills, both written and oral.

? Must possess strong communication skills, both written and oral.

? Must possess a working knowledge of statistical analysis used in process control (control charting techniques, process capability studies, etc.)

? Must demonstrate the ability to build and maintain strong teamwork relationships.

? Must be able to travel to support product translation to other plant.

 

Position includes a competitive salary and an excellent fringe benefit program. For confidential consideration, qualified candidates should send a resume along with salary requirement/history to;

 

By E-Mail to:  pliantjobs@pliantcorp.com .  The subject heading must include:

Development Engineer Position

 

By Mail to:   

PLIANT CORPORATION

Human Resource Department

230 Enterprise Drive

Newport News, Virginia 23603

 

Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer