PEX Piping Product Engineer

Elkay Manufacturing•Commerce, TX

About The Position

The PEX Piping Product Engineer is responsible for the development, design, and enhancement of PEX (Cross Linked Polyethylene) piping systems, as well as ensuring that PEX piping products meet quality standards, perform reliably, and satisfy the needs of both consumers and industry regulations. The specific duties of this position include the following:

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering/Engineering Technology, Materials Science, or related field.
Three (3) years of experience in the position offered, as a Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Industrial Engineer, or related occupation.
Must have experience with the following: Using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Autodesk Inventor) to create precise 2D/3D models, interpret engineering sketches, perform design-for-manufacturing (DFM) analysis, and simulate part performance for PEX piping systems and tooling design; PEX manufacturing and extrusion processes, including material handling, crosslinking, inline quality inspection, and thermal polymer analysis, with expertise in ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards and process optimization for critical product attributes; Demonstrated knowledge of PEX manufacturing industry standards and regulatory requirements including ASTM F876, ASTM F877, ASTM F3203, ASTM F2023, ASTM F1960, ASTM F2159, ASTM F1807, NSF/ANSI 14, NSF/ANSI 61, IAPMO & CAS B137.5; Research and Development (R&D) for New Product Development (NPD) including conceptualization, design and development of plumbing components, conducting design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA), creating prototypes, conducting tests, and analyzing data to validate product performance and reliability and conducting Fit, Form, & Function; Technical writing and documentation including Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Engineering Change Orders (ECO), training materials and technical engineering bulletins; Continuous Improvement (CI) through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Failure Effect Mode Analysis (FEMA), Kaizen events (Time Studies, Value Stream Mapping, and 5S), and statistical analysis tools including Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts and measurement system analysis tools including Gage R&R (Repeatability and Reproducibility); and Project management techniques including tools such as Jira for achieving tasks within a specified timeline, Microsoft Project for tracking and assigning tasks to internal team members and TTI Bowlers (Target to Improvement) to track the progress for achieving timely goals.

Responsibilities

Research and Development Conduct engineering research on PEX materials, manufacturing processes, and new technologies.
Develop new products and improve existing ones to meet industry standards and consumer needs.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including chemists, designers, and other engineers.
Design and Testing Design PEX piping systems and components ensuring durability, efficiency, and safety.
Create prototypes, conduct tests, and analyze data to validate product performance and reliability.
Identify and resolve any engineering design or performance issues through testing and iteration.
Compliance and Standards Ensure that PEX products comply with industry standards, codes, and regulations.
Stay updated with the latest industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes related to PEX materials and piping systems.
Collaboration and Communication Collaborate with sales, marketing, and manufacturing teams to bring products to market.
Provide technical engineering expertise and support to internal and external stakeholders.
Communicate effectively with suppliers, customers, and regulatory agencies.
Continuous Improvement Implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance product quality, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
Conduct regular product evaluations and recommend enhancements or modifications.
Documentation and Reporting Create technical documentation, including specifications, test reports, and product manuals.
Generate engineering reports on product development progress, test results, and recommendations for improvements.