Job Description

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Contact Derek Milligan at dmilligan@saigepartners.com, you can also schedule an appointment at https://calendly.com/dmilligan-saigepartners/30min to learn more about this opportunity!

Senior Product Development Engineer

Location: Washington, Iowa | Paid Relocation Assistance
Schedule: Full-time, first shift
Industry: Building and construction materials

Build products that perform in the real world

Brava is looking for a Senior Product Development Engineer to turn ideas into durable, manufacturable products for the building and construction industry. In this hands-on role, you’ll guide polymer-based products from concept and material selection through prototyping, testing, process development, scale-up, and launch.

You’ll bring together practical expertise in polymers and plastics processing with the project leadership to move complex development work forward. You’ll partner with teams across R&D, manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing, as well as suppliers, customers, and testing labs.

Experience with injection molding, vacuum forming or thermoforming, and compression molding is especially valuable. Knowledge of how polymers hold up to UV exposure, weather, moisture, temperature, and other demanding conditions will help you succeed.

What you’ll do

• Lead product development projects from early concepts through commercialization and launch.
• Develop polymer-based products and components for building and construction applications.
• Select and evaluate polymers, compounds, additives, fillers, reinforcements, and other materials to meet product requirements.
• Apply plastics processing expertise—including injection molding, vacuum forming or thermoforming, and compression molding—to product and process development.
• Work with manufacturing teams and external partners to create reliable, cost-effective production processes.
• Coordinate prototypes, tooling, molds, fabrication, and production trials.
• Define product specifications, performance requirements, test plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Plan and oversee laboratory, physical-property, durability, accelerated-weathering, and application testing.
• Analyze test results and turn findings into product, material, and design improvements.
• Troubleshoot material, processing, design, and manufacturing issues using root-cause analysis and structured problem solving.
• Lead design-for-manufacturing and design-for-cost efforts.
• Manage project schedules, milestones, budgets, risks, and deliverables across multiple projects.
• Coordinate with R&D, engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing, suppliers, and customers.
• Prepare development plans, technical reports, product specifications, test reports, and project updates.
• Support product launches and help resolve manufacturing or field issues.
• Contribute to intellectual property, regulatory, quality, and product documentation as needed.
• Keep up with developments in polymer technology, plastics processing, construction materials, sustainability, and relevant standards.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 5 years of product development or R&D engineering experience, preferably developing polymer-based products.
• Practical knowledge of thermoplastics, polymer blends and compounds, additives, fillers, and stabilizers.
• Hands-on experience with injection molding, vacuum forming or thermoforming, and compression molding.
• Understanding of how processing conditions affect product performance, appearance, dimensions, and manufacturability.
• Experience with material characterization and physical or mechanical property testing.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test results, and material data sheets.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Strong project planning and organizational skills, including the ability to manage several priorities at once.
• Ability to lead cross-functional work without direct authority.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to explain technical topics to varied audiences.
• Experience working with customers, suppliers, manufacturers, testing labs, and internal teams.

Helpful experience

• Developing products for outdoor use or demanding construction environments.
• Polymer durability, UV and weathering performance, thermal performance, moisture resistance, and environmental exposure.
• Familiarity with building and construction materials and their applications.

Saige Partners, one of the fastest growing technology and talent companies in the Midwest, believes in people with a passion to help them succeed. We are in the business of helping professionals Build Careers, Not Jobs. Saige Partners believes employees are the most valuable asset to building a thriving and successful company culture. Contact us to learn more about the opportunity below or check out other opportunities at https://careers.saigepartners.com/.