Senior Plastics CMF Engineer: Material Innovation Lead

Garmin; Olathe (KS); 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 for a full-time role in the Greater Kansas City area, Cary, NC, or Portland, OR. You will serve as a technical CMF resource across material categories, developing solutions from concept to product launch while ensuring performance, manufacturability, and quality.

You will lead material evaluations, perform testing, identify risks, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, and sourcing teams to deliver industry-leading CMF performance.

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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

CMF expertise

Material characterization

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Color matching

Testing methods

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/related field

Job description

Garmin is seeking a Senior CMF Engineer - Plastics for a full-time role in the Greater Kansas City area, Cary, NC, or Portland, OR. You will serve as a technical CMF resource across material categories, developing solutions from concept to product launch while ensuring performance, manufacturability, and quality.

You will lead material evaluations, perform testing, identify risks, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, and sourcing teams to deliver industry-leading CMF performance.