Research Engineer

ForestSource; Commerce (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Huber Engineered Woods seeks an experienced Research Engineer to advance raw material technology and product development. You will coordinate tests, drive commercializable innovations, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Suppliers, Marketing, and Sales to turn ideas into market-ready solutions.

The role requires strong project management, data analysis, and communication skills, with a track record in process improvements and product development in building materials or

Qualifications

• BS or BA in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Materials Science or related technical major with 5+ years building industry experience.
• MS degree with relevant experience or PhD with 3+ years preferred.
• Experience in process improvements, product development and project management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D and Innovation teams to bring new solutions to market.
• Identify processes and technologies to drive continuous improvement for performance, efficiency, quality and cost.
• Lead technical activities focused on process improvements and data-driven recommendations.
• Identify new product opportunities based on customer needs and technology development.
• Provide guidance to R&D, Operations, Quality, and Marketing on technical direction.
• Manage project timelines and budgets; communicate roadmaps and results.

Skills

Collaborative

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

BS in Chemical Engineering or related

MS in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

MS Office Excel

PowerPoint

Minitab

JMP

Job description

Huber Engineered Woods (HEW), a division of J.M. Huber Corporation, combines its advanced adhesives and wood product technologies with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities to produce premium structural wood panel products. Innovative construction products like AdvanTech and ZIP System have changed the way homes and buildings go together. HEW brings together professionals with experience in research and development, product engineering and manufacturing to create products that solve specific problems. Our Corporate Office is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. HEW manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, Virginia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Maine. To learn more, please visit our website at www.huberwood.com.

Position Summary

The Huber R&D team is a collaborative group of interdisciplinary product development professionals who drive opportunities for growth based on understanding operational, technical and customer needs. The team assesses markets and trends, identifies strategic arenas for growth, and conducts exhaustive technical research in pursuit of future technical solutions and product platforms for Huber. The Research Engineer will serve as a technical resource for research and product development with focus on raw material technology, operational innovation and new product development. This position is a key role in leading these initiatives and the future growth of the company. This position develops close working relationships with Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Suppliers, Marketing, and Sales teams. The right candidate coordinates third party testing and evaluation plans while managing the internal testing regimen of the lab. The right candidate will have a strong balance of conceptual thinking and concrete project management skills, embrace open communication and collaboration in our matrixed organization, thrive with the challenge of ambiguity, be a storyteller able to communicate a vision of the future, learn through experimentation, and drive to commercialize new products.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary members of the R&D and Innovation team to bring new solutions to market
• Identify critical processes, technologies, and operational challenges, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product performance, efficiency, quality, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead and participate in technical activities focused on process improvements, generating data and execution recommendations
• Identify new product opportunities and enhancements based on customer needs and technology development.
• Strive for intellectual property protection, first mover opportunities, and exclusive customer supplier relationships
• Proactively maintain close working relationships with customers and suppliers with the focus on differentiation
• Develop new high-value specialty products that exceed customers articulated needs
• Provide technical direction and leadership to the R&D, Operations, Quality, Innovation and Marketing teams
• Generate data and establish roadmaps and communication plans.
• Manage project specific timelines and budgets.

Requirements & Preferred Competencies

• BS or BA degree with 7 years experience, MS with 5 Years or PhD with 3 Years (Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Material Science or other technical major) 5+ years of building industry/sector experience.
• Ideally industry experience is with process improvements, engineering solutions, Product development and/or project management experience preferred.
• Collaborative and action oriented.
• Natural creative problem-solving aptitude with strong analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills.
• Open-minded and optimistic attitude with a passion for learning and experimentation.
• Possesses organizational awareness, values people, and uses social skills to create needed connections.
• Ability to clearly, concisely, and effectively communicate, written and oral, with all functional departments.
• Self-starter who thrives on working through ambiguity to problem definition and ultimately customer solution.
• Proficient in MS Office Excel, PowerPoint, data analysis tools (i.e. Minitab, JMP etc).

Major Challenges

• Participating in a customer centered, market focused approach to R&D (versus product focused)
• Perform as a business resource with technology partners & internal stakeholders, external business partners, vendors and suppliers.
• Develop and maintain strong patent strategy
• Support new product development projects inclusive of opportunity definition, business plan, scope, requirements and execution.
• Manage projects to meet deliverables, budget, time and resources.

Total Rewards

J.M. Huber Corporation complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency. Any offered salary is determined based on relevant factors such as an applicant's skills, performance, job responsibilities, prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications and market considerations. U.S. Market-Based Salary Range Research Engineer [$0.00 - $0.00] In addition to base compensation, individuals may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and profit-sharing payout. Huber also offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package as detailed on the Huber Benefits Hub.

Huber Engineered Woods is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected veteran status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, genetic information, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.