The Requirements
To meet the basic qualifications for this role you will have:- A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Chemistry, or related scientific field OR a 4-year technical degree Quick question for you - click here
- Legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship
- 3 - 5 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing and / or quality
- Technical writing experience is preferred
- Experience with polyolefin films or resins is preferred Quick question for you - click here
- Experience with APQP Process (Stage-Gate) and PPAP submissions
- Demonstrated project management skills
- Working knowledge of various materials testing methods, such as mechanical and electrical properties, air permeability, chemical composition, microscopy, etc.
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred, or at least demonstrated proficiency in the use of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) tools
- Familiarity with failure mode and effects analysis methods (i.e., DFMEA, PFMEA)
- The ability to be proactive in challenging existing processes to improve efficiency and accuracy
- Strong proficiency with spreadsheets and the ability to understand and manipulate complex data; familiarity with Minitab a strong plus
- Intermediate level software skills, including Microsoft Excel, AX, Word, PowerPoint, and Access
- Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze complex data from multiple sources and draw conclusions
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to build relationships and trust cross-functionally
- The ability to lead a group without having formal authority
- A proactive mindset, initiative, and a disposition toward action
- A strong sense of urgency, and calm under pressure
- Outstanding analytical and problem solving skills
- Comfort working in an office environment
The Role
Reporting to the VP of Product Development, as the Product Quality Engineer, you will be responsible for writing product and delivery specifications, as well as other related engineering documents and ensuring that those documents align with customer expectations, manufacturing capabilities, and regulatory requirements. Quick question for you - click here You’ll spend a significant portion of your time analyzing and identifying data, discussing results with internal stakeholders such as Operations contacts and Engineers, working with Sales and Marketing and putting together a document that bridges the gap between our ability to make the product repeatedly at a high quality level with the customers’ needs for certain criteria in the membrane.We follow the Stage-Gate process which starts with a market pull signal and includes gathering information, conducting tests and trials, and then creating an engineering specification--which is where you come in.
You can also expect to be involved in product compliance activities.
More specifically, you will:
- Write new specification and engineering / compliance documents
- Maintain existing documents and incorporate changes as necessary to support customer requests and/or continuous improvement initiatives
- Maintain a database consisting of common specification criteria and continually “look across” to leverage lessons-learned over entire product portfolio.
- Ensure alignment and support product rationalization activities as appropriate.
- Lead “Design for Compliance” activities, including authoring material declarations for restricted substances, RoHS and REACH declaration statements, compliance files, and documentation reviews for internal and external audits.
- Oversee change control process for specifications and other documents
- Communicate effectively cross functionally to impacted team members regarding changes in specifications and other engineering documents
Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.
Why Celgard
Professional development -- this is an opportunity that will give you exposure to many different areas of the business and our unique solutions. You’ll be able to build on the foundation of talents you already have and learn the Asian market. In addition, you’ll learn all about the company and our products.Technology and innovation -- you'll be working in a very high-technology industry and our products are used on a wide variety of consumer electronics devices. You can probably find a Celgard membrane on your desk right now in the form of your desktop, cell phone or other device. These products are constantly changing and evolving, and you will play a key role in these technological developments.
Career options -- Celgard dynamically stewards its resources, particularly our most important resource: our people. Because of our unique market niches and proprietary technologies, we prefer to promote from within whenever possible. While we’re looking for someone who can grow in this role for several years, if you have the runway and desire to advance, and you prove yourself, future opportunities will become available. Celgard is a company where you can build a long-range career.
Strong supervisor and department -- we have a strong team with a good deal of experience and industry insight, and your supervisor, who has been with the company for many years, knows it inside out. You will have the advantage of learning from a team that will help you build the foundation needed to grow and excel. The VP of Product Development has high expectations and will give you room to succeed. He provides clear direction and then lets the team run. As long as you’re hitting your deadlines and delivering quality work, you’ll enjoy the “elbow room” you need to take ownership of your role.
Strong growth environment -- Celgard and our parent company, Polypore International, Inc., continue to grow, as our product line is used in a diverse number of applications in robust markets, including laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, medical devices, and various military applications. We're also making important strides in the electric vehicle space. In addition:
- In 2009 we received a matching grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support the development of the US EDV market. This funding supported construction of the Concord facility as well as expansion at our Charlotte plant.
- In 2008 we acquired a new technology along with production facilities in Korea, so that we now have the broadest portfolio in our industry. In 2010 we began expanding the Korean facility.
- In 2011 we expanded our Charlotte facility and added a Concord facility to serve growth in the consumer electronics market.
Keys to Success
Although your technical engineering skills will be essential, just as important to your success in this role will be your communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will be able to work cross-functionally and develop rapport with a variety of contacts including Product Development Engineers; Quality; Operations; Supply Chain; Legal; Environmental, Health and Safety; and the Sales and Marketing team members to develop specifications and other engineering documents that balance the needs of internal and external stakeholders. We’re looking for a professional who can read the data, communicate the results to multiple stakeholders, and develop a specification document that works for all parties.Additionally, to be an outstanding Engineer you will be confident, professional, and strong-willed. You’ll need to be able to speak your mind while also striving to bring harmony and synergy to the delicate relationship between the requirements of the customer and the needs of all of the other key players who are involved in the process.
About Celgard
Celgard is a global leader in the development and production of specialty microporous membranes, and is one of the largest suppliers to the lithium battery industry. Celgard® battery separators are highly engineered and are used in disposable and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for personal electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile telephones, digital cameras, and power tools and are emerging in applications including electric drive vehicles (EDVs) and reserve power and electricity grid management systems.With company headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and battery separator manufacturing facilities in the United States, Korea, and China, we are ideally positioned to serve the just-in-time needs of a global market.
Celgard is part of Polypore International, Inc, a global high technology filtration company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore's flat sheet and hollow fiber membranes are used in specialized applications that require the removal or separation of various materials from liquids, primarily in the ultrafiltration and microfiltration markets. Also based in Charlotte, NC, Polypore International, Inc. is a market leader whose 4 core companies manufacture, marketing, and service products through 14 manufacturing sites and 14 sales and service locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, with sales relatively balanced across these regions.
Pictured: Celgard manufacturing facility located in Concord, NC.