Position Description:

The Innovation Engineer is responsible for leading the identification, development, qualification and implementation of new, innovative products and technology to drive significant business results in energy and telecom business groups. In the role the Innovation Engineer you will lead or participate in innovative new product development where, among other activities.

Role Responsibilities:

• Investigate new or existing technologies which can be applied to develop specific innovative products.

• Engage with customers to understand new product requirements and to define opportunities for Product Innovation bringing tangible value.

• Provide technical leadership for transfer of new products into production working with plant Operations and Engineering teams.

• Provide analysis of competitors’ products.

• Create detailed product designs using theoretical calculations, process definition and material selections.

• Participate and develop adequate technical knowledge by providing utility perspectives and supporting research in areas of expertise for Prysmian Innovation products and meetings.

• Benchmark the best practices between Prysmian and US operators organizations and techniques

• Review Patents working with IP Group to guide Innovation as well as creation of Patent Disclosures.

• Manage relationships of research team with other Prysmian Group Units and Prysmian’s commercial materials division to set-up research programs;

• Define and procure process equipment to manufacture products for feasibility analysis as well as complete product qualification.

• Manufacture prototypes.

• Make cost estimates.

• Create qualification plans and interpret test results.

• Create/present design and qualification reviews.

• Provide periodic presentations to assigned Prysmian’s group members regarding project status, schedule, and needs as per the Prysmian project management system.

Project Management Leadership

• Provide leadership to develop Prysmian’s innovation programs

• Serve as subject-matter expert and management advisor for Prysmian Innovation Group to communicate project milestones and provide strategic guidance to steer executive decisions and investments

• Work closely with other members of R&D team in ITC as well as Operations and Quality groups in relevant plants.

• Monitor the project schedules of deliverables and modify the technical objectives, tasks, and schedule for each team member as needed to meet the project requirements;

• Manage, review, and validate the results of the team’s work;

• Manage and analyze the progress of the team’s work and monitor any successes and/or difficulties they encounter with partners and opportunities they have identified;

• Monitor and analyze new shifting technical requirements for the project;

• Report project results to Prysmian management and stakeholders;

Contract Negotiation and Management

• Negotiate and manage contracts for partners and subcontractors according to each contractor’s competences and prices within the budgeted contract limits;

• Negotiate the content and schedule of deliverables

• Write and present papers at Industry forums.

• Ensure all product meets requirements as defined by the Plant’s Quality Management Systems

• Comply with all applicable safety procedures and ISO 14001 EMS guidelines

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree - Materials, Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering or Physics

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in new product design and development in a manufacturing environment including development and implementation of new innovative products and technology into production. 

• Track record of successfully identifying and implementing new technology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree - Materials, Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering or Physics

• Minimum 5 years of experience in development and industrialization of new products and technology in a fast-paced manufacturing environment;

• Product and technology development of aluminum and copper alloys. 

• Hands on experience with alloy formulation, casting, forming, and annealing as well as sample preparation and analysis (elemental and microstructural). 

• Ability to operate metal forming equipment such as saws and lathes.  Ability to operate scanning electron microscope.

Additional Skills/Attributes:

• Problem Solving: Ability to apply first principle problem solving and root cause analysis to develop innovative solutions.

• Feasibility Assessment- Ability to research and evaluate feasibility of new technology for innovative products.

• Technical Leverage: Ability to identify and use subject matter experts both inside and outside Prysmian to identify, evaluate and implement new technology.

• Hands On: Ability to work hands on to generate prototypes for evaluation.

• Results focused: Driven and passionate to achieve goals.

• Project management: Plan, schedule, track and complete key tasks and milestones to reach project goals

• Leadership: Ability to have a vision of innovative new products and motivate others to develop innovative new products

• Communications: Ability to effectively interface, obtain support and offer support to all functional groups and external customers – TEAM Player

• Behavioral: Self-confident and self-motivated, so as to be effective with minimal supervision.