Research Engineer II - Organic Grinding Wheels

Saint-Gobain Research North America is looking for a talented, and energetic research engineer to join the Organic Grinding Wheels Technology team. Saint-Gobain Abrasives is the world’s leading manufacturer of abrasives, offering powerful, precise, and user-friendly solutions enabling customers to shape and surface-finish all types of materials even in the most complex and challenging applications across a diverse range of markets. We are searching for an experienced, hands-on project leader to investigate, research, and develop new technologies that strengthen our offerings. The new team member will have the opportunity to leverage their engineering and materials expertise by leading their process and product development projects from the initial stages of conceptualization, prototyping, and experimental testing, to the implementation in manufacturing.

This person will apply the fundamental engineering principles and material knowledge with a creative mindset to support the development of new abrasive products and optimize/improve current processes for cost saving and gains in efficiency, capability, reliability, and safety at the plant.  This person will interact as part of larger cross-functional teams including members of research and development, Operations, Engineering, Marketing, Quality, Sourcing, External customers, and suppliers. Responsibilities will span the entire product/process development continuum all the way from conception to industrialization. This person will create and execute project plans, design, and conduct experiments, analyze data, and present findings in written and oral formats.

The main responsibilities include:

• Product Development: Collaborate with US & worldwide R&D teams on new product development, experimental design, pilot plant trials, and scale-up to full production while working fully in a cross-functional environment. Ensuring ongoing product improvements, including cost savings or improved product quality and functionality. Assist in the launch of new products and technologies worldwide.
• Process Development: develop robust, reliable, cost-effective, and efficient processes in support of business objectives. The engineer will also work to continually identify and implement advantaged processes and technologies. Developing and testing new processes in the production plant.
• Process Commercialization/Transfer: transfer new processes and technologies from other locations and/or the lab scale into full production. Optimize process parameters to scale up the process, and interface with the broader R&D teams to develop innovative process solutions. Document and develop process specifications and parameters for a range of products by working closely with Quality, R&D teams, and Industrial teams.
• Process and Product Analysis: gather and analyze data and use that data to make recommendations. This includes characterization of current processes and products, quantifying/qualifying potential process improvements, and leading validation efforts of existing and newly implemented products/processes. As needed, the engineer will compile data, document work, and prepare reports for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Project Management: coordinate and plan to ensure project work meets quality specifications and is delivered on schedule.
• Technical Support and Troubleshooting: the engineer will work to develop expertise with current and new technologies and processes so that he/she may serve as a resource for technical support and troubleshooting as issues arise. Investigating and resolving customer complaints as they relate to products or processes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS Degree with a minimum of 3+ years’ industry experience or MS with a thesis in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Plastics/Polymer Engineering, Material Science, or other related disciplines

Company Summary

Saint-Gobain Research (SGR) North America is one of Saint-Gobain’s largest industrial research laboratories. The center is home to more than 400 employees working at the leading edge of innovation on multidisciplinary industrial research, preparing the future by designing tomorrow's products and processes across an amazing variety of markets and technical disciplines. Since 1985, SGR North America has been supporting existing businesses, developing future businesses, and nurturing talent.

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and solutions which are key ingredients in the wellbeing of each of us and the future of all. They can be found everywhere in our living places and our daily life: in buildings, transportation, infrastructure and in many industrial applications. They provide comfort, performance and safety while addressing the challenges of sustainable construction, resource efficiency and climate change.

Legal Statement

Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.