R&D Sustainability Engineer

R&D Sustainability Engineer

Driven by a commitment to research, quality, and service, PDI provides innovative products, educational resources, training, and support to prevent infection transmission and promote health and wellness. Encompassing three areas, our Healthcare, Sani Professional and Contract manufacturing divisions, we develop, manufacture, and distribute leading edge products for North America and the world. We have several locations across the US and are looking for new Associates to join our team!

The R&D Sustainability Engineer drives innovations that make PDI's products more sustainable — minimizing environmental impact while meeting regulatory and customer expectations. This role keeps a pulse on industry trends and partners with internal and external resources to bring new sustainable designs, concepts, and materials to life, while leading the integration of sustainability into the product development process and evaluating our products' cradle-to-grave environmental impact to support sustainability reporting.

Lead high-visibility sustainability initiatives that directly shape PDI's environmental strategy and product innovation roadmap.

Partner with internal teams and external suppliers, customers, regulators, and industry groups to pioneer new sustainable materials and designs.

Own and maintain PDI's R&D sustainability data management platform from the ground up.

Play a hands-on role educating and training the broader PDI community on sustainability.

Lead innovation of science-based, sustainable materials and processes for applicators, chemicals, and packaging.

Enhance PDI's understanding of its current environmental product profiles.

Conduct research into customer needs, regulatory trends, and sustainable material innovations.

Investigate new certifications and environmentally friendly labeling opportunities.

Work cross-functionally to ensure projects align with sustainability goals and design principles while meeting customer needs.

Identify and engage key external partners to develop new sustainable ideas.

Plan and execute laboratory testing that demonstrates the commercial viability of new sustainability concepts.

Identify appropriate attributes and systems to report sustainability data.

Gather relevant raw material sustainability data across the product development lifecycle (nonwoven, formulation, and packaging).

Embed sustainability within the product development process.

Lead organization-wide training sessions on sustainability.

Communicate opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of PDI's products from cradle to grave, including product design and manufacturing.

Provide regular updates on PDI's sustainability progress.

Play a proactive role in driving sustainable product innovation.

An efficient, easy-to-maintain R&D sustainability data management platform is in place.

New designs, concepts, and materials for nonwoven, formulation, and packaging are identified through strong research and innovation.

Sustainability ideas are advanced through effective partnership with internal and external groups.

Sustainability is embedded within PDI's product development process.

Assigned projects and self-led initiatives are owned and delivered end to end.

Bachelor's degree in Sustainability Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related discipline required;
Master's degree a plus.

Knowledge of eco-design, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Product Declarations, energy efficiency, and other sustainability concepts required.

Strong knowledge of sustainability regulations and current industry trends.

Understanding of R&D processes for the development and launch of new products.

1 to 4 years of experience in R&D with exposure to product design & development and change control processes.

Experience in raw material qualification.

Proven track record of executing R&D strategies with strategic, competitive-landscape thinking.

Demonstrated ability to influence and integrate cross-functional teams to enable project success.

Experience practicing breakthrough thinking and navigating complex challenges.

Experience interacting with external stakeholders: suppliers, customers, and industry groups.

Highly…