Sr. New Part Development Engineer - Rubber Industry

The Assistant Manager New Part Development will lead and coordinate the design, prototyping, and industrialization of new rubber components. This role demands technical expertise in rubber materials and molding processes, along with strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Analyze customer requirements and convert them into technical specifications
• Design rubber components using CAD tools and validate through simulations
• Select appropriate rubber compounds based on performance criteria and environmental conditions
• Develop process flow diagrams and control plans for new parts
• Coordinate with tooling vendors for mold design and development

Prototyping & Testing

• Oversee prototype manufacturing and conduct trials
• Plan and execute product validation tests (e.g., tensile, compression, aging, chemical resistance)
• Analyze test results and implement design improvements

• Industrialization

• Collaborate with production and quality teams to ensure smooth transition to mass production
• Conduct process capability studies and implement corrective actions
• Support APQP, PPAP, and FMEA documentation

Project Management

• Manage timelines, budgets, and resources for new part development projects
• Interface with customers and suppliers for technical discussions, approvals, and audits
• Monitor engineering change requests (ECRs) and ensure timely implementation

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of rubber materials (natural, synthetic, thermoplastic elastomers)
• Expertise in molding processes: compression, injection, transfer
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
• Familiarity with testing standards (ASTM, ISO) and lab equipment
• Understanding of tooling design and manufacturing

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor junior engineers
• Time management and multitasking under tight deadlines

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 4–8 years of experience in rubber product development
• Experience with automotive or industrial rubber components preferred
• Knowledge of ERP systems and BOM creation
• Experience with customer audits and supplier development
• Exposure to sustainability practices in rubber manufacturing