Research and Development Design and Development Engineer

About The Role

As Associate Manager, you play a critical role in shaping the front end of innovation for consumer‑packaged goods and will be aligned to our Ziploc brand! You will identify, scope, and advance new products, materials, and technology opportunities from early insight and concept generation through proof‑of‑concept and development.

This is an individual contributor role and reports to the R&D Manager for Home Storage.

• Explore and define innovation opportunities by synthesizing consumer insights, market trends, sustainability goals, and emerging technologies.
• Identify unmet consumer needs and translate them into clear problem statements and technical opportunity areas.
• Evaluate white space opportunities across materials, formats, functions, and business models.
• Generate, prototype, and test early‑stage concepts to assess technical feasibility, consumer relevance, business viability, and sustainability.
• Design and conduct experiments, proof‑of‑principle testing, and rapid learning loops to validate efficacy and performance.
• Investigate next‑generation materials and technologies.
• Assess scalability, cost, manufacturability, regulatory considerations, and IP landscape.
• Ensure scientific rigor and thought leadership in product test methodologies to drive competitive advantage.
• Advance selected concepts into development through internal pathways or external partnerships.
• Lead early supplier engagement and external collaboration to accelerate learning and reduce technical risk.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or other related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in related research and development that includes 3+ years of development and commercialization of consumer‑packaged goods.
• Experience in at least one of the following: biomaterials or sustainable materials; formulation or chemical‑based product development; polymer science or material conversion; active or functional product technologies.
• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship for full‑time employment.

• Extensive experience in product ideation and concept development.
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping, experimental design, and iterative learning methods.
• Experience collaborating with cross‑functional partners to align consumer, technical, business, and sustainability perspectives.
• Experience communicating complex concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences, and integrating technical information through data‑driven storytelling to influence recommendation and make sound business decisions.
• Experience partnering with external technology developers, suppliers, or startups.
• Possess complex problem analysis and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage ambiguity by building programs and projects.
• Self‑driven, results‑oriented with a clear focus on high quality and timely delivery of objectives.
• Ability to leverage artificial intelligence tools and techniques to analyze data, generate insights, automate tasks, and enhance decision‑making while applying sound judgment and ethical considerations.

• This position works primarily in an office environment and will be located at our Bay City, MI manufacturing site.
• Full Time Monday through Friday business hours.
• Approximately 10% travel may be required.
• Remote work is available once a week following a 90‑day onboarding period.
• This position is eligible for domestic relocation.

Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice as assigned by the Manager. The job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the position remains at‑will.

SC Johnson's total compensation packages are at or above industry levels. In addition to salary, total packages may include bonuses, long‑term incentives, matching 401(k) contributions and profit sharing based on company profitability, job level and years of service. As a family company, we're committed to providing benefits such as…