Research Engineer, Research & Innovation (R&I)

AFA Dispensing Group; Eindhoven; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Creative impact

Cross-discipline collaboration

Inspiring location

Competitive salary

Flexible work locations

Contract stability

30 vacation days

Job summary

AFA Dispensing Group is seeking a Research Engineer for its Research & Innovation team in Eindhoven. You will drive innovative ideas for dispensing systems across technology, science, sustainability, UX, and business insight.

You will join a multi-disciplinary team and collaborate with researchers, engineers, a designer and a product manager, bridging creativity into science and technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor, master degree or PhD in mechanical, industrial, material engineering with experience in packaging or innovation.
• At least 4 years work experience in packaging is a must; experience in personal care or consumer goods is a plus.
• Creative thinker with a business-driven mindset and scientific curiosity.
• Strong communicator who enjoys collaborating with diverse teams.
• Hands-on and proactive with strong analytical and collaborative skills.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Willingness to travel occasionally to global locations; reside within commuting distance of Eindhoven.

Responsibilities

• Research-driven approach to idea generation and development, analysis of patents, scientific content, business reviews, market insights and user experience.
• Project performance exploration and validation.
• Design and execution of experiments.
• Product benchmark and competitor analysis – technology, performance, usage.
• Create structured reporting with project scope, timeline, risk analysis, in collaboration with the project manager.

Skills

Creative thinker

Strong communicator

Hands-on

Collaborative

English fluency

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in mechanical engineering / industrial engineering / material engineering

Job description

Research Engineer, Research & Innovation (R&I)

At AFA, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Asa Research Engineerwithin our Research & Innovation (R&I) team, you willbethe innovationinstigator, by finding newopportunities to bring novelty intodispensing systems, throughdifferent prisms such astechnology,science,sustainability, user experience and businessinsight.

You will have a key role to play ingenerating, exploring and implementing ideas up toa feasible, functional,sustainable,desirable and viable level.In this role, youwill be part of amulti-disciplinary teamwithresearchers,mechanical and qualityengineers,adesigner andaproduct manager.You will also collaborate with outer partners, such as research labs,experts and technology suppliers.

You will report directly to the Head of Product Innovation and operate as part of AFA's global R&I organization, bridging creativityinto science and science into technology.

Key responsibilities

• Researchdriven approach to idea generation and development, analysis of patents, scientific content, business reviews,market insights and user experience.


• Project performance exploration and validation.


• Design and execution of experiments.


• Product benchmarkand competitor analysis - technology, performance,usage.


• Create structured reportingwith project scope, timeline, risk analysis, in collaboration with the project manager.

Your Profile

• Bachelor,masterdegreeor PhDin mechanical, industrial, material engineering with experience in packaging or innovation.


• At least 4 years work experience in packaging is a must, work experience inpersonal care or consumer goods industryis a plus.


• Creative thinker with business driven mindsetandscientific curiosity towards projects.


• Strong communicator who enjoys collaborating with diverse teams with differentbackgrounds and cultures.


• Hands-on and proactive.


• Strong analytical andcollaborativeskills.


• Fluent in English (written and spoken).


• Willingness to travel occasionally to global AFA locations.


• Resides within reasonable commuting distance of Eindhoven headquarters.

What do we offer?

• Creative Impact: Work on innovative product and technology concepts that shape AFA's future portfolio.


• Collaboration Across Disciplines: Engage with engineers, designers, scientists, and business professionals in a dynamic environment.


• Inspiring Location: Based in the creative and tech-driven Strijp-T district in Eindhoven - a hub for design and innovation.


• Attractive Compensation: Competitive salary with a performance-based bonus.


• Tools & Flexibility: Company laptop and mobile phone, plus flexibility to work from different locations.


• Contract Stability: One-year contract with the intention of permanent employment after proven performance.


• Time to Recharge: 30 vacation days (based on a 40-hour workweek).


• Pension Plan: A solid collective pension plan.


• Learning & Growth: Continuous opportunities for professional development and training.


• Inclusive Culture: Work in an international, open, and inspiring team where creativity, courage, and collaboration define success.

Why Join AFA Dispensing?

You'll join an international, innovation-driven organization that values teamwork, reliability, and growth.