Senior CMF Engineer - Plastics

Garmin; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Garmin Benefits

Job summary

Garmin is seeking a Senior CMF Engineer - Plastics to drive color, finish, and material choices across Garmin product lines. The role will focus on delivering advanced CMF solutions from concept to launch while ensuring manufacturability, performance, and quality.

You will lead material explorations, collaborate with engineering and supply chain, and mentor junior team members while staying current on emerging materials and manufacturing technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field plus 5+ years of CMF/Plastics experience.
• Strong knowledge of plastics, coatings, metals and related material systems.
• Experience in materials characterization, testing design, data analysis, and failure investigations.
• Ability to work with suppliers and cross-functional teams to deliver CMF solutions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as CMF expert for material categories, guiding selection, color, and finish during product development.
• Develop CMF concepts from concept through launch, aligning with manufacturing and quality goals.
• Plan and execute CMF explorations, tests, and evaluations for product and technology development.
• Identify risks, perform root-cause analysis, and resolve complex quality/manufacturing issues using data-driven methods.
• Mentor junior engineers and share CMF knowledge across the organization.

Skills

Materials science

CMF technologies

Plastics engineering

Material characterization

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science or related field

Tools

Color matching equipment

Materials testing equipment

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a full-time Senior CMF Engineer - Plastics. This role could be based at our U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area, Cary, NC, or Portland, OR. In this role, you will be responsible for serving as a technical resource for CMF, developing and implementing material solutions from concept through product launch while ensuring product performance, manufacturability, and quality. This role is responsible for delivering advanced CMF solutions for products covering all Garmin's market segments.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a technical resource for assigned material categories, providing expertise in material selection, performance, color, and finish throughout product development
• Develop and implement CMF solutions from concept through product launch, ensuring alignment with product requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and quality objectives
• Plan, execute, and communicate CMF explorations, material evaluations, and testing activities to support product and technology development
• Identify material-related risks and failure modes, conduct root cause investigations, and resolve complex product quality and manufacturing issues through data-driven analysis
• Develop, improve, and validate material verification test methods and support color matching activities within assigned material categories
• Maintain and contribute to CMF standards, processes, and best practices to promote consistency and quality across products
• Stay current on emerging materials, manufacturing technologies, and industry trends, and assist in evaluating new CMF opportunities
• Contribute to project planning and execution, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and technical recommendations
• Share materials knowledge across the organization through cross-functional collaboration, training, and technical support
• Provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced CMF Engineers and contribute to the development of team capabilities

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, or another field relevant to the essential functions of this job description AND a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and CMF technologies, including plastics, silicones, metals, coatings, and related material systems
• Experience in materials characterization, experimental design, data analysis, and failure investigation using a variety of analytical and mechanical testing techniques
• Demonstrated understanding of material, process, and tooling interactions, with the ability to evaluate material performance, define material requirements, and identify potential failure modes across multiple product categories
• Passion for CMF innovation, emerging materials, manufacturing technologies, and design trends, with the ability to proactively identify opportunities and technical challenges
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop creative, practical solutions to complex technical issues
• Effective collaborator who contributes technical expertise during design reviews and works successfully with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across the organization
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to manage CMF projects and deliver solutions from concept through manufacturing while considering production, quality, and operational requirements
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound technical judgment and ownership of assigned responsibilities
• Experience working with suppliers and strategic partners to evaluate, onboard, and implement new materials and technologies
• Team-oriented professional with strong interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and a commitment to respectful collaboration and continuous learning

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in the consumer electronics industry
• Previous experience or knowledge of organic materials including, but not limited to, rigid plastics, silicones and rubbers, organic coatings, films or similar

Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability.

This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits