Senior Staff Engineer, Non-Woven

It's a great time to join Velcro Companies! The Non-Woven Engineer leads the development of new technologies and products by applying advanced scientific principles and pioneering research to drive significant business impact. As a strategic technical leader with cross-category expertise, this individual operates independently and collaborates across functions to identify unmet needs, define technical specifications, and deliver innovative solutions in the form of new products or services. As the highest-ranking technical expert in the organization, they provide scientific and technological leadership company-wide. Recognized globally as a thought leader in their field, they offer guidance and mentorship both within and outside the company.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide expertise within a specific area or discipline, involving knowledge of advanced technology and scientific theory, responsible across the company.
• Initiate and direct projects to utilize new technological developments or breakthroughs for improved products, processes, materials, and applications.
• Support activities requiring advanced scientific theories and principles for solutions and exploration.
• Ensure research and project endeavors align with company goals and guidelines.
• Present research results internally and externally; publish in journals or discuss at conferences if appropriate.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery, documentation, and budget adherence.
• Provide technical expertise and ensure project excellence.
• Mentor team members and serve as a subject matter expert.
• Design and document complex experiments and protocols aligned with project goals.
• Analyze data, develop experiments based on results, and ensure high-quality, speedy project completion.
• Complete project deliverables, make go/no-go decisions, and serve on high-impact projects.
• Identify resources needed for project milestones and recommend resource allocation.
• Manage external collaborations and contracts relevant to project goals.
• Engage with the external technical community to identify future directions.
• Advance company technology by drawing upon broad scientific knowledge, developing base technologies with applications supporting business objectives.
• Demonstrate a body of work including new competencies, products, and capabilities.
• Practice legal boundaries in information sharing, lead brainstorming for IP, review legal agreements, and develop patentable concepts.
• Communicate with internal teams, external partners, university collaborators, and customers to advance projects and identify synergies.
• Supervise up to three subordinates, typically R&D Engineers and Technicians.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute and deliver project objectives.
• Manage people development and accountability within teams.
• Maintain broad knowledge of company products, capabilities, and technology, while staying current in a specific expertise area.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation by generating new concepts for products and enhancements.
• Ensure compliance with quality, safety policies, and regulations.
• Manage special characteristics (IP, CSG, CC, CS) through risk analysis and validation.

Knowledge & Experience (Minimum Job Qualifications)

• PhD with 10 years of experience, MS with 15 years, BS with 20 years, or equivalent, with at least 10 years in non-woven fabric R&D, especially spun bond, SMS, and hook-engageable materials.
• Proven mastery in innovative research, IP generation, and impactful results.
• Recognized as a top expert in the non-woven industry.
• Strong knowledge of material testing standards, quality control, and industry regulations.
• Experience leading research and development of advanced non-woven fabric technologies.
• Ability to drive innovation to meet industry standards and improve performance in various applications.
• Develop and oversee experimental protocols, process parameters, and material testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for product development from concept to production.
• Mentor junior scientists and engineers.
• Present research findings to leadership and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of presenting complex technical information clearly.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Minitab, SolidWorks.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approx. 10%).

Perks of Being Part of Our Team

We value our employees and support professional and personal growth through a safe work environment, challenging careers, and comprehensive benefits. Our offerings include competitive pay, health and welfare benefits, time-off, and growth opportunities.

Health and Welfare Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with HSA and HRA options.
• Wellness and incentive programs, life insurance, disability coverage, and more.

Retirement Savings Plan

• 401(k) with a 5.5% company match and immediate vesting.

Time-Off Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, holidays.

Other Benefits and Programs

• Tuition reimbursement, financial wellness, employee recognition, resource groups, charitable matching, referral bonuses.

Velcro Companies provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind, in accordance with applicable laws.