Research and Development Engineer - Plastics Manufacturing Little

Research and Development Engineer - Plastics Manufacturing - Base Salary to 110k/year - Little Rock, AR

Our client, a well‑established global manufacturing organization, is seeking a Research and Development Engineer to support new product development, product testing, prototyping, and continuous improvement initiatives within an industrial plastics manufacturing environment. This position will work in a technically advanced laboratory setting supporting product innovation, mechanical testing, material analysis, and manufacturing process improvement.

This is an onsite position with a flexible Monday−Friday day shift schedule in a state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing and engineering lab environment.

• Conduct research, testing, analysis, and validation for new and existing industrial plastic products
• Support product development, prototyping, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Design, model, and modify components and products using 3D CAD software
• Develop and execute laboratory and mechanical testing procedures
• Analyze product performance, testing data, and material characteristics
• Prepare technical reports, testing summaries, and engineering documentation
• Maintain laboratory notebooks and technical records supporting product development and patent documentation
• Assemble, install, and test products, prototypes, and mechanical components
• Operate, maintain, and calibrate laboratory and analytical testing equipment
• Collaborate with Quality, Manufacturing, Production, and Product Management teams regarding product performance and process improvements
• Ensure products and processes meet company and regulatory standards
• Support manufacturing process validation and product quality initiatives
• Provide technical support for existing and newly developed products
• Participate in project planning, scheduling, and progress reporting
• Assist with technical training and knowledge transfer initiatives
• Travel occasionally to manufacturing facilities and customer locations as needed

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field
• 3+ years of Research and Development (R&D) Engineering experience within industrial product manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting mechanical systems, product development, product testing, or manufacturing engineering initiatives
• Experience using mechanical and material analytical testing equipment including calipers, micrometers, gauges, and related measurement tools
• Experience with laboratory testing, product validation, and technical documentation
• 3D CAD modeling experience using NX, Solid Works, AutoCAD, or similar software
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to travel approximately 15‑20% to manufacturing facilities and customer locations

• Base salary in the 85k – 110k/year range
• Bonus potential eligible, up to 15%
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Educational assistance and career advancement opportunities
• Technically advanced laboratory environment with prototyping, 3D printing, and machine shop capabilities
• Stable global organization with continuous improvement and sustainability initiatives