Lead Engineer

Rice Industries•Disputanta, VA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a highly talented and motivated engineer that is excited to join the team and play a significant role in leading the efforts to achieve our growth goals. The Lead Engineer for Material Enhancement role is responsible for managing R&D and the engineering processes for our commercialized projects at our Disputanta, VA location. The Lead Engineer will be responsible for determining operation parameters and developing processes to produce consistent products that are within the technical and quality specifications for new customers and product projects. This role is responsible for interfacing with sales, the customer and operations to manage all new SBU projects through the Stage Gate process through commercialization. This is a leadership role within the team and the individual will be a key stakeholder in driving the sale through the technical qualification. In addition, as a lean organization, all leaders at our plant have the opportunity to support multiple areas of the business. We operate in a team-based environment, and all leaders pitch in to occasionally support areas outside of their department. Individuals successful in this role will be motivated by the opportunity to truly shape R&D and the broader company capabilities, with full authority to do whatever it takes to build best in class quality and operations for our customers.

Requirements

3+ years’ experience in an engineering role in the polymer industry
Graduate Degree in Engineering preferred, but minimal Bachelors Degree
Process engineering experience preferred
Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Write routine reports and correspondence.
Speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
Apply logical thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Deal with nonverbal symbolism (e.g., formulas and equations) in difficult phases. Deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to independently use computer for basic word processing, spreadsheets, email and other functions.
Individuals must be able to work in non-climate-controlled settings.
Employees must always wear hard hats and safety shoes.
Standing for extended periods of time
Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Identify colors
Work in open air & outdoor areas.
This position is required to work physically in our Disputanta, Virginia facility
Must be willing to travel up to 20% of their time to support customers and sales.

Nice To Haves

Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Develops alternative solutions. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Identifies problems in a timely manner. Resolves problems in early stages. Works well in group problem solving situations.
Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with our new and existing customer engineering teams to establish material specification and project parameters and to develop scalable procedures for any new material enhancement projects for solid state polymerization, crystallizing, blending, drying and devolatilization services.
Convert R&D procedures into processes suitable for operation and production equipment
Supervise, troubleshoot, and validate developmental processes
Optimize processes using design of experiments and other statistical data analysis techniques
Manage developmental projects using a stage-gate system
Document material specifications for raw materials and products, trial batch requests, and trial batch reports
Transfer processing data learned to costing document to be used by sales for quoting new projects.
Coordinate with customers and extended cross-function extended teams to facilitate successful trial process
Serve as a technical contact for customers and vendors
Ensure we deliver best in class quality for our customers
Supports sales team during the conversion of new products from trial stage to full scale commercialization
Contribute to team meetings to support the customer and business needs
Serves as a key leader of the organization, seeking and driving opportunities to improve our operations and quality
Seek ways to constantly improve our Engineering processes and controls
Identify any new equipment (commercial, quality or pilot) that would improve process, yield or sales cycle.