Product Development Assosciate

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Product Development Associate supports the development, testing, and commercialization of coated fabric and polymer-based products while building the technical, analytical, and collaborative skills required to grow into a Development Specialist role. This position works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to support new product development, process improvements, and customer-driven solutions.

This role is well suited for a technically curious, hands-on professional who enjoys laboratory work, data-driven problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration, and who is motivated to grow into a role with increasing technical ownership, customer interaction, and leadership responsibility.

The Product Development Associate reports to the Technical Manager within the Develop team.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (Initial Focus)

Product Development & Testing Support

• Support new product development initiatives, cost-reduction efforts, process improvements, and qualification of alternate raw materials or suppliers.
• Prepare trial specimens using laboratory compounding, extrusion, and coating equipment.
• Conduct laboratory extrusion and coating experiments under guidance of senior development staff.
• Use laboratory equipment and standard test procedures to prepare samples and evaluate materials.
• Collect experimental data and accurately record, summarize, and report results, including basic statistical analysis.
• Conduct routine and periodic testing (e.g., heat stability, color, chemical composition, FTIR) and maintain a test record database for benchmarking and reference.
• Prepare specimens for testing at external laboratories, coordinate shipping and testing, and properly file test reports.

Laboratory & Equipment Management

Manufacturing, Quality & Cross-Functional Support

Safety, Quality & Compliance

EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES (Growth Path)

As experience and capability grow, the Product Development Associate is expected to progressively take on increased responsibility, including :

QUALIFICATIONS :