New Product Development Engineer

Silgan Dispensing Systems; Slatersville (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Silgan Dispensing Systems in Rhode Island seeks a New Product Development Engineer to drive dispensing-closure and packaging projects from concept to production launch. You will design with SolidWorks, develop rapid prototypes, evaluate tooling, and coordinate production-ready releases.

The role requires collaboration across Sales, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and suppliers, with strong communication and presentation skills. Occasional travel may be necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Three or more years of mechanical product design and development experience; demonstrated experience taking products from concept through production is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including 3D modeling and the creation and interpretation of 2D engineering drawings, dimensions, and tolerances.
• Knowledge of thermoplastic injection molding, mold-design principles, tooling development, design for manufacturability, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing.
• Ability to develop test plans and fixtures, execute testing, inspect parts, analyze results using basic statistics, and document clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Proficiency with dimensional inspection equipment, including calipers, micrometers, indicators, optical comparators, and CMM systems; Micro-Vu experience is preferred.
• Strong technical writing, customer service, verbal communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical information to customers and non-technical audiences.
• Strong collaboration, organization, project-management, problem-solving, and hands-on troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with ERP or product-data systems and bill-of-material creation and maintenance; JDE experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with calibration systems and measurement-equipment recordkeeping is preferred.
• Ability to work in office, laboratory, supplier, and production-floor environments and travel approximately 15%, based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Drive dispensing-closure and packaging projects from concept through production implementation, coordinating requirements, timing, risks, and cross-functional activities.
• Develop product concepts and detailed designs in SolidWorks, including accurate 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, and tolerances.
• Create and evaluate 3D-printed and rapid-tool prototypes for fit, function, manufacturability, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate the design, procurement, evaluation, and qualification of pre-production tooling and molded samples; scale approved designs to production injection molds and automation.
• Develop and execute test plans, fixtures, inspection methods, dimensional studies, basic statistical analyses, design adjustments, and product, process, and mold qualifications.
• Refine and troubleshoot existing products, molds, processes, and automation using design, prototyping, measurement, testing, and qualification tools.
• Work directly with Sales and customers to define application needs, present concepts and results, resolve technical questions, and provide responsive customer service.
• Prepare quality plans, engineering and qualification reports, procedures, work instructions, technical recommendations, and customer-ready presentations.
• Coordinate technical activities with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Sales, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure requirements are complete and production-ready.
• Communicate technical requirements to vendors, evaluate quotations, and monitor supplier quality, timing, and performance.
• Create, review, and maintain bills of materials and related product data in JDE; as assigned, support calibration records and activities for measurement and inspection equipment.
• Comply with all company safety, quality, and procedural requirements.

Skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

JDE ERP

CMM inspection

3D printing

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The New Product Development Engineer aids dispensing-closure and related packaging projects from initial concept through successful production launch. This role combines product design, rapid prototyping, injection tooling, automation support, testing, measurement, design refinement, and qualification. The engineer also improves and troubleshoots existing products and processes. Direct collaboration with Sales, customers, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and suppliers requires strong customer service, communication, and presentation skills.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive dispensing-closure and packaging projects from concept through production implementation, coordinating requirements, timing, risks, and cross-functional activities.
• Develop product concepts and detailed designs in SolidWorks, including accurate 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, and tolerances.
• Create and evaluate 3D-printed and rapid-tool prototypes for fit, function, manufacturability, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate the design, procurement, evaluation, and qualification of pre-production tooling and molded samples; scale approved designs to production injection molds and automation.
• Develop and execute test plans, fixtures, inspection methods, dimensional studies, basic statistical analyses, design adjustments, and product, process, and mold qualifications.
• Refine and troubleshoot existing products, molds, processes, and automation using design, prototyping, measurement, testing, and qualification tools.
• Work directly with Sales and customers to define application needs, present concepts and results, resolve technical questions, and provide responsive customer service.
• Prepare quality plans, engineering and qualification reports, procedures, work instructions, technical recommendations, and customer-ready presentations.
• Coordinate technical activities with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Sales, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure requirements are complete and production-ready.
• Communicate technical requirements to vendors, evaluate quotations, and monitor supplier quality, timing, and performance.
• Create, review, and maintain bills of materials and related product data in JDE; as assigned, support calibration records and activities for measurement and inspection equipment.
• Comply with all company safety, quality, and procedural requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Three or more years of mechanical product design and development experience; demonstrated experience taking products from concept through production is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including 3D modeling and the creation and interpretation of 2D engineering drawings, dimensions, and tolerances.
• Knowledge of thermoplastic injection molding, mold-design principles, tooling development, design for manufacturability, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing.
• Ability to develop test plans and fixtures, execute testing, inspect parts, analyze results using basic statistics, and document clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Proficiency with dimensional inspection equipment, including calipers, micrometers, indicators, optical comparators, and CMM systems; Micro-Vu experience is preferred.
• Strong technical writing, customer service, verbal communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical information to customers and non-technical audiences.
• Strong collaboration, organization, project-management, problem-solving, and hands-on troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with ERP or product-data systems and bill-of-material creation and maintenance; JDE experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with calibration systems and measurement-equipment recordkeeping is preferred.
• Ability to work in office, laboratory, supplier, and production-floor environments and travel approximately 15%, based on business needs.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status. Silgan is a drug-free workplace.

If you are interested in exploring opportunities at our other divisions, like Silgan Plastics, Silgan Containers, Silgan Closures, Silgan Plastics Food Containers or Silgan Specialty Packaging,

Silgan Dispensing creates dispensing solutions for some of the world's most iconic brands - from triggers and pumps to sprayers and closures. When you join our team, you become part of a global community where your unique perspectives help shape our future. You'll have the opportunity to be hands-on, get directly involved in meaningful work, and make a tangible impact from day one.