Principle Engineer, Fluids & Flexibles

Spectrum Plastics Group; Pleasant Prairie (WI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrum Plastics Group is seeking a Principal Engineer, Fluids and Flexibles (F&F) to guide global engineering teams in Medical Tubing and Flexible Packaging extrusion, process qualification, and scale-up. The role emphasizes safe operations, continuous improvement, and capital project leadership across the division.

The candidate will drive data-driven improvements, mentor cross-functional teams, and lead initiatives aligned with the technology roadmap to sustain competitive advantage.

Qualifications

• Requires advanced degree in engineering or related field with extensive R&D/engineering experience.
• 10+ years in R&D, engineering, technical services and development in growth-focused businesses.
• 5+ years in polymer extrusion and converting industries.
• Proven track record of establishing best-in-class polymer and medical device processes and developing personnel.
• Ability to manage multiple significant activities and adapt to changing priorities with minimal disruption.

Responsibilities

• Create and uphold a customer-centric mindset within the engineering function to develop customer confidence in quality, service, and products.
• Actively establish benchmark standards and develop capabilities of technical staff across the division.
• Provide divisional support in evaluating processes and identifying enhancement opportunities.
• Support capital budgeting, planning, and execution for the global Fluid Management and Flexibles division; lead capital projects where applicable.
• Support cost savings programs (PRISM) at the global division level.
• Serve as Commercial Liaison for capacity and capability assessments across the enterprise.
• Support R&D and new product/process development across the enterprise.
• Partner with Technical Services & Development to evolve the technology roadmap and execute programs.

Skills

R&D leadership

Polymer processing

Medical device knowledge

Project management

Prioritization

Education

BS, MS or PhD in Engineering, Bioengineering, Materials Science, Chemistry or related field

Job description

JOB PURPOSE:

The Principal Engineer, Fluids and Flexibles (F&F) provides guidance, support, and subject‑matter expertise to the global engineering teams supporting Medical Tubing and Flexible Packaging extrusion and value‑added processes. This candidate has responsibility to support safe plant operations, new product/process qualifications and scale‑up, capital equipment planning and execution, manufacturing standards and training, continuous improvement, and other new products or sustaining operational activities.

The ideal candidate for this role is a technical leader and process expert with a proven track record of maximizing business impacts and jumping in with a hands‑on approach to drive process excellence. They will support a culture of identifying and addressing root cause of failures through measuring and monitoring process capability and gaps to key operational metrics such as OEE, TEEP, yield, cost savings realization, and quality complaints. They will lead projects to create sustainable processes and procedures that minimize deviation from standards across the division while driving industry best practices to enable growth across the network.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Create and uphold a customer‑centric mindset within the engineering function, to develop and maintain customer confidence and satisfaction in our quality, service, and products
• Actively establish benchmark standards and develop the capabalities of technical staff across the division
• Provide divisional support in the evaluation of processes, and identification of enhancement opportunities
• Support capital budget, planning, and execution for the global division of Fluid Management and Flexibles operations – Lead capital projects where applicable
• Support cost savings programs (PRISM) at the global division level
• Act as Commercial Liaison for capacity and capability assessments across the enterprise
• Support R&D and new product and process development across the enterprise
• Partner with Technical Services & Development to develop the technology roadmap to create and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage in medical tubing and packaging extrusion and converting. Lead the execution of programs that stem from the technology roadmap
• Benchmark best practices for new product introduction and manufacturing technology throughout the division and identify opportunities to standardize and improve capabilities
• Ensure learnings from site RCCA efforts are applied across enterprise as applicable
• Drive data‑driven strategic operational improvement programs and oversee execution at the division level by benchmarking site performance, applying pareto principles to the impact to quality, yield, and output metrics, and create actionable plans
• Support the quality organization with complaint investigations and root cause analysis, including the identification and implementation of corrective and preventative actions and the roll‑up into broader quality improvement plans
• Contribute to the development of the division asset strategy and support the execution of capacity expansion, capacity release, and product transfer efforts to support the strategy
• Support growth by ensuring execution to new product/process qualifications and scale‑up programs
• Support the development of verification and validation plans including the protocols, test methods, and reports for execution of design verification and validation testing
• Coach, Mentor, and Train cross‑functional teams to apply Medical Device and Polymer Processing best practices
• 25% domestic/international travel anticipated as needed to facilitate project execution, training, and support of sites across the enterprise

QUALIFICATIONS (Education/Experience/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• BS, MS or PhD in Engineering, Bioengineering, Materials Science, Chemistry or related field or equivalent experience
• 10+ years’ experience in R&D, Engineering, Technical Services & Development and related roles in growth‑oriented businesses
• 5+ years industry experience in polymer extrusion and converting
• Strong track record of establishing “best in‑class” polymer and medical device processes and personnel development which enable sustainable and long‑term business growth
• Ability to manage multiple, significant activities and respond to changing priorities with minimum disruption

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This is divisional support position requiring work in both an office and factory environment. Works with minimal supervision from manager. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and stand for moderate periods of time in an office and factory setting. Regular use of hand tools, micrometers, and microscopes is required. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, will regularly lift up to 20 pounds, and occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The incumbent will be required to work on a manufacturing floor where s/he may be exposed to dust, noise, and/or cold or heat.