Lead Engineer / Scientist, Process Development & Commercialization (This is an onsite role in Richmond, Virginia)DescriptionThe
Lead Engineer / Scientist for Process Development & Commercialization will be a member of the Aramid Product and Process Development team. This team is responsible for developing next-generation materials and manufacturing processes for applications in electrical infrastructure, electric vehicles, aerospace, personal protection, and other advanced markets. The team works closely with commercial, manufacturing, and technical partners to transform customer needs into innovative, scalable solutions.
This role is responsible for translating customer and market requirements into commercially viable products and manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will lead projects from concept through pilot trials, process scale-up, qualification, and commercialization. The position requires a combination of strong technical expertise, practical manufacturing experience, and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to bring new technologies to market.
Responsibilities- Lead the design, development, scale-up, and commercialization of new products and manufacturing processes for engineered materials, including papers, films, nonwovens, laminates, coatings, and related sheet-based structures.
- Translate customer and market requirements into product concepts, process designs, testing plans, and commercialization strategies.
- Design, plan, and execute laboratory, pilot-scale, and manufacturing-scale development programs to achieve performance, quality, and business objectives.
- Partner closely with manufacturing, operations, quality, engineering, and supply chain teams to successfully scale and commercialize new technologies.
- Develop and execute pilot and plant trial plans, analyze results, and recommend process improvements to achieve target product performance and manufacturability.
- Evaluate process capabilities, equipment requirements, process modifications, and potential manufacturing investments to support product development objectives.
- Apply engineering and scientific principles to solve complex technical challenges in laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing environments.
- Lead multiple development projects simultaneously, establishing clear objectives, timelines, milestones, resource requirements, and risk mitigation plans.
- Collaborate with global, cross-functional teams including operations, engineering, application development, marketing, and commercial organizations.
- Work directly with customers and technical stakeholders, as needed, to understand performance requirements and support development activities.
- Review technical literature, patents, and emerging technologies to identify innovation opportunities and strengthen the product and process development pipeline.
- Effectively communicate project progress, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Paper Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline required. Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading product development, process development, manufacturing scale-up, or commercialization projects.
- Demonstrated experience taking products or technologies from concept through pilot trials, manufacturing implementation, and commercialization.
- Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to apply engineering and scientific principles to complex development challenges.
- Experience working in manufacturing, pilot plant, process development, or production environments.
- Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, process capability analysis, modeling, or other data-driven development methodologies.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and drive projects to completion in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated success working across technical, manufacturing, and commercial organizations.
- Ability to make sound technical decisions with in dynamic operating environments while balancing safety, quality, schedule, and business objectives.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with paper, film, nonwoven, or other engineered sheet-based manufacturing processes strongly preferred.
- Hands-on experience supporting pilot trials, manufacturing trials, process scale-up, and commercialization efforts.
- Experience with coating, lamination, polymer processing, formulation development, polymer synthesis, or related materials technologies.
- Experience in specialty chemicals, advanced materials, filtration media, engineered products, aerospace materials, electrical insulation materials, or related industries.
- Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Project Management, Agile, or related continuous improvement certifications.
- Prior experience with aramid materials is beneficial but not required. Candidates with strong process development and commercialization experience in adjacent industries are encouraged to apply.
