Sr R&D Engineer

Job Summary

As part of the R&D Operations Technology team, the Senior R&D Engineer will be responsible for developing pilot capabilities and advancing technology innovations to commercialization at our Tampa Plant to meet our sustainability and profitability goals. This individual will lead and support development, scale-up, and commercialization of new asphalt oxidation, transfer, coating, blending, and homogenization processes. They also will support new technologies driving product development, operational excellence, and sustainability goals.

This position is a hands-on individual contributor, who will collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams to drive R&D programs working closely with scientists, engineers, operations teams, and business representatives. In this role, they will act as the core point person connecting the R&D team and the Tampa plant, fostering fluid communication, driving cross-functional alignment, and ensuring both organizations are locked in step for successful project execution.

The successful candidate will also be responsible for contributing to the culture and growth of the organization through mentorship and strategic input to the organizational design.

Essential Duties

• Oversee the development, implementation, testing, and improvement of pilot equipment
• Lead or support process technology development projects from scouting to scale-up to commercialization
• Work collaboratively across all functions to drive progress
• Design and perform experiments
• Lead and prepare trials and conduct after-trial testing and reporting
• Identify opportunities and gaps in existing manufacturing processes and generate ideas to enhance the portfolio of enabling technologies
• Document and communicate learnings and best practices to internal and external partners
• Transfer/scale up pilot technologies to commercialization
• Support safe operating practices
• Drive day-to-day execution of programs and align resources to achieve key business priorities
• Contribute to a thriving organization through mentoring, coaching, and collaboration

Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Engineering, Applied or Physical Science with a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience.
• or Master’s degree (Mechanical or Chemical Engineering Preferred) with a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience, or
• Bachelor’s Degree (Mechanical or Chemical Engineering Preferred) with a minimum of 8 years relevant work experience.
• or 25+ years related experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in Manufacturing, Process R&D, or Product Development R&D, preferably in a high volume, continuous manufacturing environment
• 2+ years’ experience in project management and leadership of diverse project teams
• Strong process engineering background preferably in asphalt shingle manufacturing, large scale coating operations, nonwovens or films processing or alternatively in a closely related industry
• Experience in the residential building supplies industry or a related industry
• Experience with liquid and solids material handling equipment
• Demonstrated ability to implement and improve manufacturing processes
• Proven ability to define investment, timing, and deliverable requirements
• Proven ability to set standards for team
• Familiarity with sensors, instrumentation and controls used in the process industry
• Able to efficiently and effectively leverage available technologies
• Familiarity with sensors, instrumentation and controls used in the process industry
• Experience with material properties, analytical techniques to measure properties, critical process parameters affecting microstructure and performance
• Demonstrated experience in process optimization, lean manufacturing and/or in structured problem-solving techniques to include Agile and Scrum methodologies
• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Experience with data analysis, DOE and statistics to extract meaningful information
• Strong working knowledge of project management processes and systems
• Experience in managing outside contractors to safely and efficiently implement projects
• Profiency in mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic systems
• Experience with process hazard analysis