Senior Materials Development Engineer

Leviton; New Holland (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401K with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

PTO

Paid holidays

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Leviton is seeking a Sr. Materials Development Engineer to lead material-related R&D for cable and connectivity products. You will champion new material formulations, coordinate multi-site activities from supplier engagement to certification, and evaluate available materials for our global portfolio.

You will also support new product development, drive cost savings, and manage external fire testing while maintaining supplier relationships and contributing to sustainability initiatives.

Qualifications

• Must have a strong foundation in polymer/plastic materials and related testing methods.
• Experience with material formulation, test and measurement methodologies.
• Knowledge of extrusion processes and related analysis tools is desirable.
• Familiarity with fire test methods and relevant industry standards is preferred.
• Ability to apply statistical principles to product development and verification.

Responsibilities

• Lead material development projects across multiple sites from supplier engagement to testing and release.
• Evaluate commercially available materials for cable/connectivity applications.
• Support new product development and identify material cost savings.
• Coordinate external fire test activities and analyze test data.
• Maintain supplier relationships and track material trends.
• Contribute to sustainability efforts including lifecycle assessments.

Skills

Polymer materials knowledge

Material formulation & test methods

Plastic extrusion process knowledge

Fire test standards & practices

Statistical methods & product dev.

R&D technology development

Clear communication

Problem solving

Education

B.S. in Engineering, Chemistry or Materials Science

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

About Leviton

At Leviton, we build what's next to light, power, and connect everyday spaces, from electrical to lighting, to data networks, and energy management. With over 115 years of history, Leviton develops thoughtful solutions that help make its customers' lives easier, safer, more efficient, and more productive. We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. We ASK questions, EMBRACE challenges, SEEK new perspectives, and ANTICIPATE what comes next. It's about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly changing world.

About the role

The Sr. Materials Development Engineer fulfills a key technical leadership role in the management and execution of material related research and development projects by championing efforts to develop new enhanced cable and connectivity product materials.

Responsibilities

• Undertake new formulation ideation and design activities aimed at developing materials suitable for use in cables and connectivity produced at our manufacturing sites globally.
• Lead material development projects coordinating required multi-site activities from supplier engagement to formulation test, through to certification and release.
• Evaluate suitability of commercially available materials for use in our global product portfolio.
• Support/lead cable and connectivity new product development projects.
• Support Supply Chain by identifying and delivering material cost savings opportunities.
• Coordinate and witness external fire test activities, analyze/trend relevant test data and understand related fire legislation.
• Support the needs of internal and external customers for materials compliance, third party testing, certifications and material characterization.
• Reduce supply chain risk by providing supplier competition, resolving obsolete materials, and mitigating price increases.
• Conduct industry studies and competitive analyses to ensure Leviton Network Solution products remain at a competitive level.
• Establish and maintain supplier relationships, keep up to date on the material trends and research novel materials for future cable and connectivity applications.
• Assist in carbon footprint calculations, Life Cycle Assessments, Environmental Product Declarations and sustainability projects.
• Prepare periodic project and activity reports indicating progress of projects relative to plan. Prepare and deliver presentations to management on projects and R&D efforts as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills - Technical

• Strong knowledge of polymer and plastic materials, including fundamental chemistry, analysis, processing and performance.
• Solid experience in material formulation, test and measurement methodologies.
• Experience with plastic extrusion processes, analysis tools and process characterization using industry models or statistical methods.
• Experience of relevant industry standards, test methods and best practices, including fire tests.
• Solid experience in statistical principles, product development processes, verification, and validation techniques.
• Capable of researching and developing new technologies, guidelines, and procedures.

Skills - Behavioral

• Communication - Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with coworkers, along with internal and external customers and key stakeholders
• Problem-Solver - Strong problem-solving skills to identify issues and develop effective solutions
• Teamwork - Ability to work well in a team environment that fosters collaboration and cooperation
• Creativity - Innovative in development of new ideas and approaches for engineering challenges
• Attention to Detail - Ensure accuracy in work product, documentation, and processes to maintain high standards
• Analytical Skills - Analyze data to make informed decisions
• Critical Thinking - Ability to think critically and make informed decisions to optimize performance

Education & Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Chemistry or Materials Science required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Chemical, Polymer, Plastics or Material or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience.
• Experience leading/managing technical projects.
• Wire and cable industry experience a plus.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance programs
• 401K plans with employer-matching contributions
• Tuition reimbursement
• PTO
• Paid holidays
• Volunteer time off

For more information about benefits, please go to: https://careers.leviton.com/benefits

Leviton is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Leviton is committed to transparency and security in the recruitment process and will never ask for financial information, payment, or government identification numbers during the application process. For any questions, or to ensurethe legitimacy of a job posting, visit the Leviton career site, or contact us at 631.812.6544.

The future looks brighter than ever. Join our team now!