The Principal RD Engineer II is a key member of the new product development PMO, supporting program managers and R&D groups on new product development and product change programs. Acting as the liaison between R&D, operations, corporate engineering, and outside suppliers, this role ensures manufacturing approaches align with customer and product specifications. The Principal RD Engineer II may also work closely with a team to identify, select, develop, and manage new products/finished goods suppliers and internal/external manufacturing partners throughout the product development cycle. The role primarily involves working on NPD (New Product Development) or product change programs including design, development, and manufacturing which may involve external partners.
**Essential Functions**:
- **Process Development & Design Transfer**:
- Develop, implement, and monitor manufacturing and assembly process development initiatives aligning with strategic goals.
- Deploy advanced problem-solving tools and methodologies to ensure process capability, control, and sustainability.
- Lead Design for Manufacturing/Assembly/Service assessments and activities to ensure alignment with R&D, Corporate Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams.
- Oversee and manage documentation and design transfers to internal and external suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure successful product launches.
- Liaise with manufacturing partners and internal functions to develop supplier capability through assessments, feedback, training, and incentives.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and cost reduction with existing and new suppliers.
- ** Supplier Selection**:
- Represent PMO/R&D in identifying and evaluating potential suppliers.
- Provide senior leadership and core teams with supplier/partner recommendations based on on-site business assessments, focusing on supplier gap analysis and development plans.
- ** Collaboration**:
- Collaborate with corporate engineering, suppliers and manufacturing partners to identify, select, qualify, and implement manufacturing equipment and processes aligning with customer, product, and business goals.
- Provide technical and analytical assistance to R&D, internal manufacturing, and suppliers for manufacturing improvements.
- Act as a liaison between suppliers, manufacturing partners, and the NPD team to communicate project status and monitor risks, issues, and timeline milestones.
- Participate in product and process design reviews and stage reviews.
- Develop product and process costs (COGS), in tandem with operations and sourcing teams, validating and monitoring cost goals throughout the development and product launch cycle.
- Implement Six Sigma/Lean Tools on NPD and product change programs.
- Understand GMP and ISO requirements related to manufacturing and quality.
**MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**:
- BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- Advance English and Spanish
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience in OpEx / Manufacturing, Product/Process Development, and Process Improvement implementation.
- Experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
- Expertise in manufacturing, supplier development, risk/issue management, implementation planning, training, and communication from an OpEx / Mfg perspective.
- Experience in a new product development and product change environments to ensure a clear translation of product design requirements into process requirements to support critical to quality design elements.
- Proven track record of collaborating with, influencing, and negotiating with all levels of an organization and external organizations.
- Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to influence without authority.
- Strong analytical and statistical problem-solving tools.
- Ability to work successfully in complex and emerging business and project areas, leveraging interpersonal and technical skills to optimize results.
- Ability to work in a team setting as well as independently with all levels of managers, associates, clients, and customers.
- Solid proficiency in software programs such as Minitab, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
- Excellent oral/written communication and presentation skills
**Preferred**
- Medical device manufacturing/development experience is a plus.
- Molding and extrusion experience
- PMP certification is highly preferred
- Mastery of Six Sigma principles is preferred.
- Working knowledge and experience in Lean Implementation is preferred.
- Plastic transformation & assembly, and molding/extrusion engineering experience preferred
- Experience with capacity planning preferred
**ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP/SCOPE**:
This position reports to the Manager of Project Engineering within the NPD PMO and is part of the Global R&D organization.
**WORKING CONDITIONS**:
25% travel (Domestic & International).
**DISCLAIMER**:
**The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of wor