Senior Plastics Engineer

Primary Function:

Responsible for technical support of Foster’s manufacturing operations. Responsible for establishing process conditions of new products and optimizing process conditions of existing products. Provides leadership to the company’s engineering efforts including process engineering development, and project planning.

• Optimize existing manufacturing processes to maximize throughput while meeting customer quality performance standards.
• Review formulations and make recommendations on improvements when applicable.
• Troubleshoots processing issues on existing manufacturing processes. Assists in resolving equipment problems.
• Evaluates new equipment for use in Foster’s manufacturing operations.
• Assists in the installation of new equipment into Foster’s manufacturing operations.
• Recommends projects to improve existing manufacturing operations.
• Assists maintenance engineering on projects involving maintenance and upgrades of equipment.
• Responsible for scaling up products from sample runs to large-scale production.
• Support existing products by assisting manufacturing and QA in solving product problems that are related to manufacturing processes.
• Generate projects or technical reports for internal or external purposes.
• Document process improvements
• Create or modify work instructions.
• Successfully completes engineering work in the following areas: technology development, product, and process design and development, testing of materials, preparation of specifications/verifications/validations, process study, and transfer into production.
• Interfaces with customers and Foster sales and marketing to identify needs, obtain performance feedback, and translates customer needs into product concepts, product requirements, and design specifications.
• Preparation of technical documentation and procedures.
• Troubleshoots processing issues on existing manufacturing processes.
• Provides technical support to Operations, Sales, and QA concerning materials, processes, and problem-resolution initiatives.
• Works closely with customers developing and understanding their requirements, time frame, and funding limitations.
• Work with potential customers to define project background, description, scope, desired outcome, and deliverables.
• Develops project plans specifying goals, strategy, scheduling, identification of risks, contingency plans, and allocation of available resources.
• Plans and manages the project development efforts including customer interaction, specifications, and design input documentation, product design requirements, manufacturing process development, risk analysis, design control, and process validations.
• Assists in the installation of new equipment into Foster’s manufacturing operations
• Create a Bill of Materials for new products as well as create initial blending and process conditions of the product.
• Other duties as directed or assigned.

• Required to give direction to direct reports or others working on or aiding in customer projects.
• Conduct performance reviews.
• Manage time keeping of direct reports.

• Knowledge of Polymer Processing and polymer materials is necessary.
• Expertise in compounding polymers and blending techniques. Works well in a team-based work environment.

B.S. in Engineering or Science and a minimum of 3-5 years’ work experience in a related field preferred, Experience may be substituted for education.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

• Ability to read and interpret documents including safety rules, operational instructions, procedure manuals, and MSDS sheets.
• Ability to write routine reports.

Must be proficient in using system programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Reasoning ability to include; the ability to apply common sense to carry instructions in written, oral, or diagram form, deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.

None.