Research and Development Engineer for Compostable Resins and Products job in Albany

Research and Development Engineer for Compostable Resins and Products

About World Centric
World Centric is a 14 year old leading supplier of certified compostable disposable packaging based in Petaluma CA.  The Company started as a non-profit in 2004 and now is a California Benefit Corporation and a certified B-Corp. It offsets all its carbon emissions and donates at least 25% of profits to environmentally and socially conscious organizations.

World Centric has over 250 different products and sells into retail and foodservice across the U.S.   World Centric was founded in 2004 as a non-profit to raise awareness of how we are severely degrading the planet’s ecosystems and at the same time creating vast inequalities where billions of people are living without access to basic needs of adequate food, water, health care, education, housing, sanitation etc.  Now, as a for-profit we strive to create the most impact we can both socially and environmentally and envision a world where everyone’s basic needs can be met.

World Centric, as a leader in the compostables category, has a dynamic, fast-paced, high-growth work environment and is looking for professionals who can thrive in such an environment. The culture and mission fit is very important for us and these requirements include a strong awareness, passion and commitment to social and environmental issues; a high degree of competence, motivation, and initiative; and adaptability and ability to collaborate with others.

About the Position
This is a hands-on position where you will be joining a small team of engineers and scientists focused on developing and scaling the world’s next generation of compostable materials and end products.  You will work closely within a multidisciplinary team to design experiments, test products, create testing fixtures, and prototype pilot scale machines and processes dedicated to the creation of new compostable, disposable products.  You will be responsible for collaborating with scientists to fine-tune and scale new materials from the lab to production level quantities and to convert the new materials to final compostable products. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently with minimal oversight.  The ideal candidate will also have previous experience scaling a new material from concept to production of material and conversion of material to final products. The position will be initially based in Albany, CA.

Essential Duties:

• Works closely with scientists and Product Development to scale compostable materials from the lab to pilot scale manufacturing.   

• Designs and implements small and large-scale production manufacturing processes from raw materials to finished product.

• Uses materials testing equipment and develops custom fixtures to test new materials .

• Performs hands on fabrication and prototyping of new equipment including but not limited to drilling, cutting (metal), and assembly.

• Designs and creates automated machinery using a combination of industrial PLC-based electronics and mechanical equipment.

• Operates chemistry lab and plastics manufacturing equipment including extruders, thermoformers, injection molding machines, presses, etc.

• Creates technical drawings, identifies and overseas fabrication of custom equipment by external vendors.  

• Implements knowledge and best practices for quality, safety, and engineering process development.

• Designs equipment and processes for ergonomic use and creates standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technical documentation.

Required Education, Skills, & Background:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

• 5-10 years professional experience in scaling materials and products from lab to pilot/production scale.

• Previous experience using plastics manufacturing equipment - extruders, thermoformers, injection molding machines.

• CAD design using SOLIDWORKS.

• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment (Chemistry, Biology, PD).

• Hands on fabrication & prototyping skills (machining, 3D printing, welding, etc.).

• Mechatronic machine development from design to implementation.

• Implementing of industrial controls (PLC, Ramp/Soak, etc..).

• Experience using industrial sensors (pressure, temperature, photo-eye, etc.).

• Previous experience working in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience creating technical drawings and working with fabrication vendors.

• Experience with a variety of materials conveying techniques including pneumatic conveyance, conveyors, screw auger, etc..

Preferred Experience:

• M.S. in materials engineering, chemistry, or mechanical engineering.

• Previous experience developing bio-plastics.

• Previous work experience working in a startup environment.

• Previous technical leadership experience.

• Previous experience scaling plastic / fiber materials manufacturing.

Compensation & Benefits
Compensation is dependent on experience.  World Centric offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees. The benefits package includes health, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, sick and vacation paid leave, wellness incentive program, paid holidays, 401(k) with Company contribution, electric vehicle and alternative transportation incentive program.

To Apply
Please email jobs-rd@worldcentric.org with your resume and a 1-page cover letter. In your cover letter, please include the social and/or environmental issues that are important to you along with why you would be a good fit for World Centric. Please do not forward a LinkedIn profile.