Innovations Engineer

LAPP; Florham Park (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

401(k) options

Job summary

Join LAPP in Florham Park, NJ as an Innovations Engineer and lead innovation initiatives across LAPP Americas. You will conduct technology scouting, manage R&D, and collaborate globally to shape the future of industrial connectivity. Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s in Engineering and 3+ years in R&D or technology mapping.

You will engage actively with various stakeholders, participate in technical events, and drive LAPP’s innovative strategies while working in a dynamic environment with excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years in R&D, technology mapping, or innovation management.
• 3-5 years in working with industrial technologies and testing.
• Strong proficiency with MS Office Suite including Project and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation strategy and technology scouting.
• Lead the Ideation Pipeline and stakeholder meetings.
• Support R&D activities through experimentation and validation.

Skills

Innovation mindset

Collaboration skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (plastics, chemical, mechanical, or electrical)

Tools

MS Office Suite

SAP

AutoCAD

Job description

SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Director of Engineering, the Innovations Engineer is responsible for driving innovation initiatives across LAPP Americas, including R&D / technology exploration, technology scouting, prototyping, project management, and collaboration with global innovation functions. This role monitors emerging technological, regulatory, and economic trends to identify opportunities that align with LAPP’s long-term strategic direction. Operating closely with the global innovation and advanced technology function (currently based in Stuttgart, Germany), this role enables LAPP Americas to proactively shape the future of industrial connectivity solutions. This position is based out of LAPP Americas headquarters in Florham Park, NJ.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Innovation Strategy & Technology Scouting (Primary Focus)
   
   
   
   • Researches and evaluates new technologies, materials, manufacturing methods, and market trends to identify opportunities
   
   
   • Maintains a structured network of technical, scientific, regulatory, and industry contacts
   
   
   • Participates in relevant technical committees, trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events to stay ahead of emerging trends
   
   
   • Identifies committees, organizations, or events to engage with and develops business cases/justifications for participation
   
   
   • Brings scouting results to global attention, participates in frequent topic alignments with global innovation team and aligns LAPP Americas innovation activities with global methods and concepts
   
   
   
   


2. Ideation Pipeline & Global Collaboration
   
   
   
   • Gatekeeps the LAPP Americas Ideation Pipeline and leads monthly stakeholder touchpoints to accelerate idea qualification and progression into the Product Introduction Process (for product introduction and technology projects)
   
   
   • Coordinates innovation inflow from Americas into global innovation programs (such as Lapp Incubation Program)
   
   
   • Actively participates in LAPP Global Innovation Team activities and represents the Americas region in LAPP Tech Councils (e.g., EMC, Additive Manufacturing, DC systems)
   
   
   
   


3. R&D and Prototyping Support
   
   
   
   • Supports R&D activities through hands‑on experimentation, feasibility studies, prototyping, and validation
   
   
   • Works closely with LAPP Americas laboratory to test concepts, evaluate materials, and identify innovative testing methods, tools, and equipment
   
   
   • Assists Product Engineering teams in developing next‑generation industrial connectivity solutions
   
   
   
   


4. Intellectual Property (IP) & Documentation Management
   
   
   
   • Initiates and manages the IP review process for innovations originating in the Americas in close cooperation with Lapp Engineering AG for IP management
   
   
   • Supports documentation related to invention disclosures, prior art evaluation, and patent coordination with Global R&D head and Lapp Engineering AG for IP management
   
   
   
   


5. Cross‑Functional & Customer Collaboration
   
   
   
   • Maintains strong engagement with Outside Sales, Key Accounts, and customers to gather market insights and identify needs
   
   
   • Builds relationships across LAPP Americas, APAC, and EMEA product development / engineering and innovation counterparts to ensure global alignment and knowledge sharing
   
   
   
   

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong innovation mindset with proactive, forward‑thinking approach


• Excellent collaboration and communication skills across internal and external stakeholders


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage competing initiatives


• Ability to independently drive projects and deliver results with minimal supervision


• Aligns with corporate values and adheres to organizational standards


• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approx. 20%)


• Ability to build a technical network through committees, trade shows, customer visits, and university outreach


• Strong relationship‑building skills with global counterparts

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in plastics, chemical, mechanical, or electrical Engineering


• Minimum of 3-year combined experience in research and development, technology mapping, innovation management or similar preferably in the industrial connectivity space


• 3-5 years combined engineering experience:
  
  
  
  • Working with industrial technologies, compounds, testing, research and development
  
  
  • Developing and maintaining technical networks and relationships
  
  
  • Reading and developing technical specifications; familiarity with NFPA, UL, CSA, ASTM, etc.
  
  
  
  


• Strong proficiency with MS Office Suite, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook


• Basic knowledge of SAP, AutoCAD preferred

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

No specific certifications required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Attendance at technology, and industry trade shows, supplier visits, and committee/association events as needed once experience level is established.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Fluency in English, ability to speak effectively with suppliers, industry contacts and employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Advanced knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office. Basic knowledge of SAP and AutoCAD.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must be able to tolerate conditions associated with no air conditioning or heat. Must always observe all safety rules in lab.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION

After thorough market analysis, LAPP takes many factors into consideration when determining base salary such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, etc. of the candidate. The base salary range for this role is $80,000 - $90,000 plus participation in LAPP's bonus plan. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Vision, Dental, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, 401(k), HSA/FSA, Life Insurance, and more!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

LAPP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.