R&D Technical Support Engineer

Description

The R&D Technical Support Engineer works within our Research and Development team and uses their technical skills to provide internal sales support regarding Paragon Films product performance benchmarking, customer technical support and product development assistance on all R&D projects. This role will work closely with both the R&D and Quality departments to further departmental and company initiatives, including film application technical support and packaging projects. 

RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Trains to gain understanding of each position within the plant production department through a rotational program gaining expert level of knowledge of each role and its functional tasks while working side by side with production employees.
• Learns and provides quality suggestions for improving efficiency and maximizing operational efforts.
• Gains a thorough understanding of quality standards, applies those standards while in rotational program on the production floor and providing leadership to others through demonstrating quality expectations.
• Gains an in-depth understanding of Safety Procedures and guidelines, providing leadership regarding Safety procedures while on the production floor, acts as a resource to other employees regarding safety matters.
• Develops knowledge of business operations gaining a basic understanding of budgeting and cost factors associated with production.
• Maintains proficiency with the computer programs and procedures used to process test rolls of film to ensure quality standards are being met while demonstrating a clear understanding of the testing process and the impact of continuous testing to the end user.
• Assists in testing and evaluation of product development projects. 
• Conduct and manage Competitor Film testing and baseline against Paragon products.
• Conduct and manage Customer Projects including film evaluation and packaging solutions.
• Manage all customer technical questions and inquiries, specifically, customer technical questionnaires and surveys submitted to the Marketing Department.
• Manage the CAT Tool and database of customer film analysis done for all customers. Data to be used to determine future positioning of product in Paragon’s portfolio film offering.
• Provide support to Quality team through on-site customer complaint investigation.
• Troubleshoot film performance and packaging equipment issues on-site with customers.
• Communicate findings to quality team and help improve customer service through communication with end users and distributors.
• Facilitate internal packaging projects to identify cost-savings while maintaining Paragon’s standards

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE/SKILL/ABILITY 

• An ability to understand and analyze sales performance metrics and engineering concepts.
• Solid customer service attitude with excellent negotiation skills.
• Available to travel within all regions of the US as needed; requires air travel and driving travel.
• Well organized, ability to prioritize and self-motivated.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; with ability to communicate with all levels of employees. 
• High level attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• The ability to adapt to fast-paced, rapid changes. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and handle unexpected delays. or events while maintaining constant attention to detail.
• Practice and promote teamwork and servant leadership within the organization.
• High level of dependability regarding attendance and punctuality.
• Practice and promote teamwork within our organization, at all levels.
• Ability to interact with and engage with diverse personalities through tactful, mature, and flexible communication and relationships.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement while adapting to fast paced environment and rapid changes.
• Able to effectively manage multiple tasks and manage unexpected delays or events while maintaining constant diligence.
• Strong organizational skills combined with critical thinking skills while recognizing and supporting the organization.
• Elevated level of dependability regarding attendance and punctuality.
• Understanding and ability to communicate using the English language in both written and spoken form or willingness to take ESL classes.
• Basic mathematic skills.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging, Plastics, or other Engineering degree

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Two years of Quality or R&D engineering within a manufacturing environment.

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described her