Principal Polymer Processing Engineer, Injection Molding

CONMED Corporation • Largo, FL

3d • Remote

About The Position

The Principal Polymer Processing Engineer is a recognized technical expert responsible for advancing injection-molding capabilities, polymer-processing technologies, and manufacturing performance across CONMED. This individual-contributor role provides technical leadership in molded-part design for manufacturability; mold conceptualization, manufacturing, and performance testing; injection-molding cell equipment selection and testing; process optimization and qualification; and sustaining support throughout the production life cycle of molds and processes used for medical-device parts and components. The role leads complex technical initiatives from concept through commercialization and sustained production, serving as a trusted advisor who applies advanced engineering judgment to resolve processing challenges, establish standards, reduce risk, and improve quality, cost, capacity, and reliability. Leadership is exercised through technical expertise, influence, and cross-functional collaboration rather than direct people management.

Working across Engineering, Operations, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, and external partners, the engineer leads process development, new-product and technology work, validation and compliance, manufacturing-performance improvements, and technical collaboration. The role also mentors engineers and manufacturing professionals, develops organizational technical capability, and contributes to CONMED’s long-term polymer-processing and manufacturing-technology roadmap.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience involving injection molding, polymer processing, plastics manufacturing, tooling, or closely related manufacturing technologies.
• At least 2 years applying technical expertise to troubleshoot noncompliant injection-molded parts and determine potential causes involving part geometry, raw material or handling, molding process, mold steel dimensions or wear, mold design, molding-cell selection or performance, inspection methods or equipment, conveying, packaging, storage, or transit.
• At least 2 years leading complex technical projects and influencing decisions across multiple functions.
• Experience developing or reviewing engineering protocols, validation documents, technical reports, specifications, risk assessments, and process documentation.
• Advanced knowledge of thermoplastic materials, polymer behavior, resin handling and drying, rheology, shrinkage, warpage, degradation, and material-process interactions.
• Demonstrated experience applying scientific molding principles, design of experiments, statistical analysis, process-capability methods, and structured root-cause analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to independently define problems, evaluate technical alternatives, and deliver sustainable solutions to highly complex engineering challenges.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and technical-documentation skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or doctorate in Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in regulated medical-device, pharmaceutical, life-sciences, automotive, aerospace, or similarly controlled manufacturing.
• Experience with injection molding of medical-device components or other high-precision, high-reliability products.
• Working knowledge of FDA quality-system requirements, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, good manufacturing practices, and process-validation expectations.
• Expertise in specialized processes such as insert molding, overmolding, micro-molding, multi-shot molding, silicone molding, high-temperature materials, or biocompatible polymers.
• Experience with mold-flow simulation and analysis tools.
• Experience with automation, in-mold sensing, process-monitoring systems, machine connectivity, or advanced manufacturing controls.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or structured problem-solving certification.
• Experience supporting manufacturing transfers, supplier development, capacity expansion, or global operations.
• Experience working with toolmakers, resin suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and contract manufacturers.
• Experience with mold-design conceptualization, mold manufacturing, mold functional-performance testing, and mold predictive and preventive maintenance programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in injection-molding process development, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting; and in mold-design conceptualization, performance testing, forming-steel compliance, grooming, and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical advisor to Sourcing and Quality on custom molders, molding-cell equipment, process optimization and troubleshooting, mold design and manufacturing, tooling engineering and maintenance, metrology and MSA, and quality-engineering capabilities and audits.
• Provide subject-matter expertise in molded-part design for manufacturability, injection-molding process engineering and optimization, mold-design conceptualization, and tooling troubleshooting.
• Lead development, optimization, qualification, and validation of complex injection-molding processes, equipment, molds, and supporting technologies.
• Establish processing strategies based on polymer science, material characteristics, part and mold design, equipment capability, and product requirements; apply scientific molding and structured experimentation to define repeatable, capable process windows.
• Provide technical direction for challenging molding applications, including tight tolerances, complex geometries, engineered and high-performance resins, multi-material components, insert molding, and overmolding.
• Evaluate polymer-processing technologies and recommend investments; develop and maintain technical standards, engineering practices, design guidelines, specifications, and process-development methodologies.
• Translate complex technical information into recommendations for engineering, operations, and business leadership.
• Partner with R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Supply Chain on new-product development and product transfers.
• Provide design-for-manufacturability guidance on polymer selection, molded-part geometry, tooling strategy, tolerances, gating, cooling, shrinkage, warpage, and process capability.
• Lead or oversee mold-flow analysis, tool-design reviews, mold manufacturing and performance testing, process characterization, equipment selection and testing, and manufacturing-readiness assessments.
• Identify technical risks early and establish mitigation plans; lead transitions from development through validation, commercialization, and sustained production.
• Define critical process parameters and support appropriate inspection, monitoring, and control strategies, balancing product performance, patient and user needs, compliance, manufacturability, cost, capacity, and business continuity.
• Provide technical leadership for mold assembly and functional assessment; mold installation qualification; molding-cell assessment and testing; dry cycling; first-out-of-tool and functional testing; process characterization and optimization; forming-steel compliance assessment and applicable grooming; and mold operational and performance qualification.
• Develop or approve technical protocols, reports, engineering studies, acceptance criteria, statistical analyses, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure polymer-processing activities comply with applicable quality systems, engineering standards, regulatory expectations, and internal procedures; support risk-management activities such as FMEAs, control plans, process-risk assessments, and technical investigations.
• Partner with Quality Engineering to establish process controls and sustain process capability; provide technical support during audits, regulatory inspections, and customer inquiries as needed.
• Lead resolution of complex or recurring molding and tooling issues affecting safety, quality, delivery, capacity, cost, or customer service; use structured problem-solving and data analysis to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Improve performance through cycle-time and scrap reduction, yield and process-capability improvement, automation, tooling optimization, material utilization, and increased process reliability and operational effectiveness.
• Assess molding equipment, auxiliary systems, tooling, and processes for capability gaps, obsolescence risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Support capital-equipment selection, technical justification, supplier evaluation, installation, qualification, and production implementation.
• Provide technical leadership for design and material changes, product and process transfers, supplier transitions, capacity expansion, and manufacturing-network initiatives.
• Develop evidence-based business cases and recommendations that address technical evidence, risk, financial impact, and implementation requirements.
• Act as a technical consultant to engineering teams, operations leaders, project teams, and senior leadership; lead cross-functional initiatives spanning products, departments, suppliers, or manufacturing locations.
• Build partnerships with equipment manufacturers, toolmakers, resin suppliers, contract manufacturers, consultants, and other external technical resources; represent manufacturing and polymer-processing considerations in planning discussions.
• Facilitate technical reviews and document decisions, actions, risks, and accountabilities; communicate with technical and nontechnical audiences at all organizational levels.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers, technicians, molders, and other manufacturing professionals; share specialized knowledge, develop training, and establish repeatable engineering methods.
• Review and guide other engineers’ technical work without acting as their direct manager; promote disciplined experimentation, fact-based decisions, continuous improvement, and strong engineering practices.
• Maintain current knowledge of polymer science, molding technology, manufacturing systems, medical-device requirements, and industry best practices; contribute to CONMED’s long-term polymer-processing and manufacturing-technology roadmap.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance and life insurance, with costs paid fully by CONMED.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with dollar-for-dollar matching, potentially up to 7% per pay period.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with discounted stock purchases.
• Tuition assistance for undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Employee Referral Program incentives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal