Engineer-Product and Process Innovation- Tarrytown, NY or Lynchburg, VA

Job Summary

The Sr. Engineer Product & Process Innovation will provide product development support to the Product Innovation & Marketing Team and Process Innovation support to the Operations team. This Sr. Engineer role is that of a highly organized, analytical, and creative project engineer, a team player to help drive continual product improvement from identification of the opportunity and new technologies through commercialization. The Sr. Engineer will work across multiple brands within a matrix organization. The individual will have experience working in a highly dynamic and collaborative environment and the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical partners within the organization.  A strong R&D product development background and experience in lean or holistic product and process development is required.

Major Responsibilities/Activities

• Support the identification, development, evaluation, and commercialization of new technologies in multiple brands and categories through the lens of unmet consumer needs.  Categories may include oral care, eye care, digestive care, pain relief, skin care, lice treatment, women’s health, & pediatrics. Optimization of formulated products, process development and control of critical design parameters for OTC topical drugs, cosmetics and medical devices will be the major focus.
• Brainstorm, develop scientific support, and gain alignment with Operations and Quality for product improvements. Using tools such as Lean 6-sigma, gain alignment with Operations and Quality for process enhancements, cost control and consistent product quality.  
• Participate in the development and interpretation of consumer research to understand the consumer experience with products and categories, ultimately translating into value enhancement opportunities against specific brand strategies.
• Participate in regular cross-functional NPD meetings throughout the product commercialization process. Will interact regularly with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Regulatory, Quality, Legal, Sourcing and Project Management.
• Coordinate the formulation and processes development, production scale up, and validation of new or improved products as required using the principles of quality by design.
• Help manage external teams in development of product formulations. Hands on lab work is done by several locations including the Lynchburg, VA R&D Laboratory, manufacturers, formulation houses, raw material suppliers, etc.  The Sr. Engineer will help advise and work with all parties to develop, scale & commercialize new innovations.
• There will be the opportunity for the Engineer to “own” brand-level R&D responsibility for a smaller brand and work directly with marketing on developing and executing NPD pipeline.

Minimum Requirements

•  B.S. in Chemical Engineering preferably or a related science, i.e. Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences/Engineering, Medical Devices. Proficiency in Process Engineering subjects including transport phenomena, unit operations, material and energy balances, data analysis, statistics and rheology.   
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in a cGMP quality driven environment: preferably in the personal care, dietary supplements, OTC monographs, medical devices, or pharmaceutical industries. An advanced degree in a related science can substitute for 6 years of experience.
• Capable of quickly gathering high-level understanding of complex technical and scientific issues.
• Proven track record of successful delivery of technical projects and working collaboratively across functions.
• Process Development expertise and understanding of formulation and raw material chemical interactions and the impact of process parameters on finished product quality and consistency.
• Strong understanding of the product development process from concept ideation through validation and commercial launch; Experience with the application of analytical and statistical processes for commercial development of formulation art, i.e., DOE, QBD and SPC.
• Results oriented, entrepreneurial, and self-motivated, with solid planning and organizational capabilities, a bias for action, and the  ability to define, evaluate and take risks.
• Strong analytical and project management skills with the ability to think strategically, develop tactics, communicate measurable implementation plans, and transform solid thinking into action.
• Proven ability to display a degree of flexibility, adapt effectively to change, and be a change catalyst to drive improvements.
• Good leadership with strong interpersonal skills to nurture teamwork and foster an environment of achievement and collaboration with the teams in Lynchburg, VA and Tarrytown, NY.
• Demonstrate a global mindset and cultural awareness.
• Excellent organizational, diplomatic, and problem-solving skills and ability to cope well under pressure in an extremely fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• High proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Office.  Knowledge of statistical software like JMP or Minitab a plus
• Travel up to 25%, mainly between Lynchburg VA manufacturing site and Tarrytown NY headquarters. Sr. Scientist will work independently with external CMO teams at various locations in North America.

#hybridwork- If role located in NY. This role would be eligible for hybridwork. Requiring candidate to be in the office on Tues/Weds/Thurs and be able to work from home on Mon and Fri.

If role is located in Lynchburg, VA. This role would require Mon-Fri in the office.

Salary range for this role is (80K-115K) and takes into consideration the cost of living and market rates in an employee's work location.