Product Development Engineer

For more than 50 years, Silgan Plastics has defined the plastic bottling industry from technical innovation to creative packaging solutions. No matter what your packaging needs, Silgan can and will handle them. From creation to commercialization, our customized approach to each customer's requirements is what sets us apart from the rest.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

New & Continuous Improvement Product Development, working with the team in the plant to achieve project objectives by communicating, evaluating processes, data and utilizing product development standard operating procedures to optimize process and product performance. Support plant operations by identifying processes not meeting efficiency & Quality standards and actively support the plants teams to develop solutions. Participate in identifying plant training needs and provide technical training to plant associates.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

New Mold Project Development

• Team technical lead resource for New Product development projects. Key tasks include resolving issues related to package design and performance while working to maximize achieving project objectives.
• Communicate project related issues promptly to the Technology Manager and Project Manager
• Lead projects in accordance with Project Management Standard Operating Procedures, including:
  • Internal design review
  • Mold engineering review
  • Facilitate purchase of correct mold and ancillary tooling
  • Coordinate new mold cut-ins with plant teams
  • Establish acceptance criteria for new mold projects
  • Report active project status
  • Review mold cut-in data in accordance with acceptance criteria to determine next steps
  • Follow all corporate system requirements to track & report project status (for example: Mold Checklists, Tool Requests, Quality Acceptance Criteria, Drawing or Model Requests, Mold Evaluation Reports, Sample Requests,.....)
• Support Pricing with 'preliminary' NPD evaluation and project cost information for Quotations as directed by the Technology Manager

Plant Technical Support and Process Improvement

• Identify processes not meeting expected efficiency & Quality performance
• Provide technical guidance and actively support the plants with processes not meeting expected efficiency & Quality results
• Provide daily on-site guidance & support to the plant teams as technical problems occur
• Work additional hours as required through the week or occasional weekend as required to support trials and plant qualifications of Project Development activities
• Minimal travel required up to 10%
• Participate in identifying plant training needs and provide documented technical training to plant Machine Operators & Technicians

• Other tasks as assigned by the Technology Manager

AUTHORITY LEVEL (if applicable):

EDUCATION:

Required:

Technical education, certification or documented training in the area of product development engineering.

Preferred:

Technical Degree or significant course work is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Required:

Prior technical/mechanical experience. Previous work experience should include at least 5 years of hands-on

plastics processing and related product development experience.

Preferred:

At least 5 years of hands-on experience in product development and processing blowmolded plastic containers,

preferably on the processes Silgan utilizes.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Understanding of plastic materials and test methods

• Strong understanding of manufacturing platforms for containers
  • Extrusion Blow Molding
  • Injection Stretch Blow Molding
• Ability to evaluate bottle processes and data provide guidance for improvements
• Tooling design experience is a major plus
• Ability to manage and maintain multiple product development projects
• Understanding of statistical tools for evaluation of processes
• Strong time management skills
• Knowledge of Plastics Processing (both theoretical and hands-on)
• Ability to Document
• Ability to Communicate both verbal and written
• Ability to deal with all levels of personnel (maintenance to executives)
• Ability to foster/nurture Customer Relationships
• Ability to Organize (multiple projects, files, tasks, etc.)
• Strong Results-oriented approach
• Able to set priorities and manage multiple projects
• Work well under pressure
• Still achieve deadlines without sacrificing quality of work.

Dependable, safety minded, analytical, creative, detail-oriented, works well independently, capable of clearly expressing thoughts and ideas to others

LIMITATIONS & DISCLAIMER:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Silgan will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the associate occupying this position. Associates will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Silgan Plastics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status.

Silgan Plastics is a drug-free workplace.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER (Non-Canada)

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status.

Silgan is a drug-free workplace.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER - Canada

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Silgan endeavors to provide accommodations to individuals with disabilities to perform their essential job duties as long as the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship on the company's operations and does not pose a direct threat of substantial harm to the employee or others.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Employment is always subject to the Silgan's rights as employer, including the right to end employment in accordance with Provincial Law.

Silgan is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to any ground protected under Provincial human rights laws.

Silgan is a drug-free workplace.