Product Development Engineer

Graham Packaging is a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing, emphasizing a people, planet, and values-based culture. They are seeking a Poly Product Development Engineer to serve as a technical liaison and manage all aspects of multi-phased plastic bottle development projects from inception to commercial launch.

Responsibilities:

• Translate the voice of the customer and their needs into a bottle design and product specification for complex packaging needs
• Coordinate industrial and engineering design activities to develop a fit for use package design
• Conduct unit/prototype mold construction and sampling to develop a robust blow molding process and utilize data analysis to develop a process that transfers effectively to manufacturing
• Develop a production specification that addresses the key product performance characteristics
• Support capital engineering by providing product requirements to assist in the specification of manufacturing equipment
• Provide instruction to tooling engineers for the construction of production molds and tooling
• Conduct manufacturing start-up activities and deliver efficient manufacturing processes to our plants
• Conduct customer package validations; obtain required approvals from our customers
• Support Graham Packaging manufacturing facilities in advanced problem solving and continuous improvement activities providing direction on procedures, equipment, processes, tooling and product testing
• Provide and manage, in a document repository, all project documentation including timelines, data summaries, approvals and customer correspondence
• Maintain historical knowledge of development, technology and process best practices and act as subject matter expert in these areas
• Research and remain current on packaging trends, packaging technologies, closures and sustainability trends
• Travel of up to 70-75% required at times

Requirements:

• Strong engineering and problem solving skills
• Technical liaison between Graham Packaging and the customer, sales force, plants, and broader technical organization
• Responsible for all aspects of multi-phased plastic bottle development projects from inception, through planning, design, prototyping, and commercial launch
• Translate the voice of the customer and their needs into a bottle design and product specification for complex packaging needs
• Coordinate industrial and engineering design activities to develop a fit for use package design
• Conduct unit/prototype mold construction and sampling to develop a robust blow molding process and utilize data analysis to develop a process that transfers effectively to manufacturing
• Develop a production specification that addresses the key product performance characteristics
• Support capital engineering by providing product requirements to assist in the specification of manufacturing equipment
• Provide instruction to tooling engineers for the construction of production molds and tooling
• Conduct manufacturing start-up activities and deliver efficient manufacturing processes to our plants
• Conduct customer package validations; obtain required approvals from our customers
• Support Graham Packaging manufacturing facilities in advanced problem solving and continuous improvement activities providing direction on procedures, equipment, processes, tooling and product testing
• Provide and manage, in a document repository, all project documentation including timelines, data summaries, approvals and customer correspondence
• Maintain historical knowledge of development, technology and process best practices and act as subject matter expert in these areas
• Research and remain current on packaging trends, packaging technologies, closures and sustainability trends
• Travel of up to 70-75% required at times
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers
• Proficient with MS Office applications and MS Project
• Strong problem solving skills utilizing experimentation and data driven decision-making
• Advanced ability to understand and interpret statistics
• Advanced knowledge of plastic materials properties and testing procedures
• Ability to develop and execute product-testing procedures
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings
• BS degree in Engineering (Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering preferred)
• Experience (5-8 years) developing packaging as a supplier, converter or packaging customer
• Advanced mold design experience and plastics processing experience strongly desired