Staff Research Scientist - Packaging

At Niagara, we're looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

Essential Functions

• Formulates strategy for Innovation growth. Drive system-level lightweighting and structural optimization that balance performance, sustainability, and manufacturability.
• Explore and develop emerging technologies and trends to integrate with Innovation initiatives.
• Lead R&D projects focused on the interaction of design, structure, and performance across packaging systems.
• Advance the use of AI, machine learning, or DOE-based analytics in R&D decision-making.
• Conduct human factors research to quantify usability, ergonomics, and consumer interaction with packaging systems.
• Partner with design, insights, and marketing teams to translate consumer needs into products, engineering and performance requirements.
• Quantify environmental trade-offs and support company-wide carbon reduction initiatives through design improvements
• Ensures project documentation and communication between all stakeholders.
• Initiates, develops, and maintains relationships with suppliers and other external collaborators.
• Present and communicate research results internally and externally and help develop intellectual property.
• Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:

• 6 Years - Experience in Polymer or polymer composites mechanics, testing and processing field
  • 6 Years - Experience in Position, Research laboratory assistant, post -doctoral scholar
  • 4 Years - Experience working with graduate researchers, interns or lab assistants

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• Preferred Qualifications:
  • 10+ Years- Experience in Polymer or polymer composites mechanics, testing and processing field
  • 10+ Years - Experience in Position, Research laboratory assistant, post -doctoral scholar
  • 6 Years - Experience working with graduate researchers, interns or lab assistants

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies

Proficiency in, but not limited to:

• Advanced data analysis and simulation capabilities
• Publication quality communication skills (documents and presentations)
• Proven experience with analytical laboratory equipment such as a Material Strength Testers, Rheometers, DSC, IV testers, FTIR, XRD, etc.
• Skills with lab data management or automation software such as LabVIEW, Matlab, Python.
• Microsoft Office Products.
• Problem Solving - identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Detail oriented and accurate - minimizes mistakes, follows every step in a process and follows through with all tasks
• Oral Communication - speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrates presentation skills.
• Written Communication - writes clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Beneficial, but not required:

• Injection molding or blow molding experience.

Lifting Requirements:

• 40 lbs. For example, must be physically capable to change injection molds and resin in lab or production equipment.

Physical Demands:

• Travel up to 15%.Some work in hot, cold, or confined production environments.
• Must be able to operate tools used when changing molds and operating R&D equipment.

This position embodies the values of Niagara's LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:

• Lead Like an Owner
  • Makes safety the number one priority
  • Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately
  • Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals
  • Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly
  • Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively
  • Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers
• InnovACT
  • Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products
  • Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances
  • Increases performance through greater efficiency
• Find a Way
  • Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts
  • Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions
  • Seeks solutions rather than placing blame
• Empowered to be Great
  • Consistently looks for ways to improve one's self through growth and development opportunities
  • Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across
  • Communicates effectively to manage expectations

Education

• Minimum Required:
  • Ph.D in Chemical/ Materials/ Mechanical engineering and other related fields or equivalent experience.

• Preferred:
  • Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience. Materials Science and Engineering exposure. Polymer processing or science and Packaging training.

Foreign Language

• Required: None Required
• Preferred: Minimum Professional Proficiency, Spanish

Typical Compensation Range

Benefits

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

* *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.

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Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit resume to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit resume into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.