Product Development Engineer

Graham Packaging Company is hiring a Product Development Engineer for their Global Technology Center in Yorkana, PA. The role involves leading multi-phased plastic bottle development projects, serving as a technical liaison between customers and internal teams. Responsibilities include translating customer needs into product designs, managing project activities, and supporting manufacturing processes. The company values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within a supportive work culture.
Company StatementGraham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life. For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here. At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce. We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do—together—to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.
Overview
Graham Packaging is looking for a Product Development Engineer with strong engineering and problem-solving skills. This individual serves as the technical liaison between Graham Packaging and the customer, the sales force, the plants, and the broader technical organization. The Product Development Engineer is the hub/leader for all aspects of multi-phased plastic bottle development projects from inception, through planning, design, prototyping, and commercial launch for both Graham Packaging and our customer. This job is located at our Global Technology Center in York, PA.





Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities



Will be expected to be the leader/hub/ for the development process with some supervision.
Translate the voice of the customer and their needs into a bottle design, control plan and product specification to meet functional requirements.
Integrates thorough technical knowledge while working on simple and moderate complexity projects.
Develop project management skills, lead teams and take relentless ownership of the project(s).
Coordinate industrial and engineering design activities to develop a fit for use package design.
Conduct unit/prototype mold construction and sampling to develop a robust blow molding process and utilize data analysis to develop a product and process that transfers effectively to manufacturing.
Support capital engineering by providing product requirements for Factory Acceptance Testing to assist in the specification of manufacturing equipment.
Provide information to tooling engineers for the specification and construction of production molds and tooling.
Conduct manufacturing start-up activities and deliver efficient manufacturing processes to our plants.
Conduct customer package validations; obtain required approvals from our customers.
Support Graham Packaging manufacturing facilities in simple to moderate problem solving and continuous improvement activities providing direction on procedures, equipment, processes, tooling and product testing.
Create and manage a development plan, using PLM software, including all project timelines, data summaries, approvals and customer correspondence.
Maintain historical knowledge of development, technology and process best practices and act as an emerging subject matter expert in these areas.
Research and remain current on packaging trends, packaging technologies, closures and sustainability trends.
Travel of up to 50% required at times.

Qualifications
Core Proficiencies and Skills



Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work well in a team environment, including the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers.
Ability to assess problems and escalate as appropriate.
Proficient with MS Office applications and MS Project
Moderate problem-solving skills utilizing experimentation and data driven decision-making
Apply judgement in interpreting results and conducting quantitative analysis.
Basic mold design experience and plastics processing experience strongly desired
Basic ability to understand and interpret statistics and to work with statistical software
Working knowledge of plastic materials properties and testing procedures
Ability to develop and execute product-testing procedures
Ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements



BS degree in Engineering (Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering preferred)
Experience developing packaging as a supplier, converter or packaging customer or 3+ years GPC plant, technical experience.

Compensation StatementThe expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.
Benefits StatementBenefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company’s 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.
EEO DisclaimerGraham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.