Corporate R&D Process Engineer

Guided Search Partners; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized executive search firm is seeking an R&D Process Engineer to join a multi-site injection molding manufacturer during its growth phase. The role focuses on advanced process development, material innovation, and optimization of manufacturing processes. Candidates should have strong injection molding experience and a solid foundation in material science. This position allows for experimentation and direct influence on engineering practices at multiple facilities, while promoting continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in injection molding process engineering.
• Strong background in materials and additives.
• Experience with scientific molding methods (DOE, validations).

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced process development for new materials and resins.
• Design and execute experiments for feasibility and performance.
• Support process validation using scientific molding principles.

Skills

Material science knowledge

Injection molding experience

Data-driven decision making

Experimental validation

Mentoring skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Plastics, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering or related

Job description

Guided Search Partners (GSP) Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships. We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a multi-site injection molding manufacturer entering a new growth phase and expanding its advanced engineering capability. This R&D Process Engineer role sits within a centralized engineering group focused on new product development, material innovation, and process discipline across facilities. The position supports growth initiatives around alternative resins, additives, and cost-effective processing. It’s well suited for a technically strong process engineer who enjoys experimentation, validation, and translating material science into real production results.

What You’ll Do

Lead advanced process development efforts tied to new materials, additives, and alternative resins. Design and execute experiments and studies to validate feasibility, performance, and cost impact. Support new tool and process validations using scientific molding principles. Serve as a subject matter resource to strengthen technical discipline across process teams. Partner with operations and site engineering groups to troubleshoot complex molding challenges. Drive structured sampling, data collection, and reporting to support commercialization decisions. Contribute to continuous improvement and process optimization programs across sites.

Who You Are

You’re a technically curious process engineer who enjoys working beyond day-to-day production support. You bring strong materials and molding knowledge and like testing what’s new or different. You’re structured in your approach, data-driven in your decisions, and comfortable acting as a technical guide for others. You thrive when given room to experiment, validate, and raise the technical bar.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Plastics, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering field
• 5+ years of injection molding process engineering experience
• Strong background in material science, resins, and additives
• Experience with scientific/systematic molding methods (DOE, studies, validations)
• New tool and process validation experience
• Exposure to high-cavitation or high-volume molding environments
• Experience mentoring or guiding process technicians
• Comfortable evaluating challenging materials and new process conditions

Why This Role Matters

This role supports next-stage growth, material innovation, and process capability across multiple facilities. You’ll influence how new materials and processes are evaluated and adopted, helping the business stay competitive on cost and performance. It’s a high-impact technical seat within a company actively investing in engineering depth and future programs.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to Director-level mold and process engineering leadership
• Part of a centralized engineering solutions team
• Supports multiple manufacturing sites through a hybrid travel model (approx. 25% travel; NJ base preferred, remote considered)