We are seeking a Product Development Engineer – Team Lead to join our team at the Richmond, VA location. In this key role, you will be designing new products and processes based on customer performance objectives, working alongside other PDEs, leading group initiatives, and directly supervising PDE technicians. 

The position is accountable for establishing design objectives, prototyping, assessing manufacturability, communicating with customers, project management, and team coordination. This is an exciting opportunity that impacts how we deliver value, drive innovation, and deliver growth of our business. If you are an engineering professional with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, we invite you to apply and help us make the world safer, healthier, and more productive!  

Porex, Filtration Group is a global leader in innovative solutions for the healthcare, consumer, and industrial markets. Our mission is to make the world safer, healthier, and more productive world through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. At Porex, we foster values that emphasizes a Bias for Action, Trust, and an Entrepreneurial Spirit. 

• Champion safety protocols and lead by example to ensure that all team members in the group  understand and follow safety guidelines. Oversee housekeeping standards, maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work environment. 

• Develop new product concepts based on customer requirements. Translate ideas into designs using engineering principles, CAD software, simulations, and other tools. Iterate using test results and feedback. 

• Prototype your designs to assess feasibility. Evaluate manufacturability, costs, and risks through lab trials. Plan and execute testing protocols and validation activities. 

• Manage projects to meet timeline requirements, tracking milestones and providing updates to internal stakeholders and customer teams. Present stage-gate reviews for the cross-functional site team. 

• Coordinate Daily Management practices within the PDE team. Lead efforts to identify and escalate issues, collaborating closely with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to foster a culture of cooperation and collective success. 

• Provide direct oversight of the PDE Lab and front-line technician team. Actively coach and develop staff, ensuring that technicians have the skills and tools necessary to succeed. Coordinate project reviews and daily management activities with on-site peers.  

Core Competencies 

• Engineering Expertise: Practiced understanding of engineering principles. Must be able to analyze technical requirements, design functional & efficient products, and effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the development process. 

• Customer-Centric Mindset: Strong commitment to understanding customer needs and ensuring that product design meets or exceeds market expectations. Ability to collaborate with Sales and Operations teams to deliver innovative solutions. 

• Project Management and Collaboration: Able to manage multiple tasks, set individual priorities, and meet deadlines while working with cross-functional teams. This includes coordinating with designers, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders throughout the product development lifecycle. 

• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Think critically, analyze complex problems, and develop innovative solutions. Identify and address design issues, optimize performance, overcome technical obstacles, and ensure the feasibility of designs within given constraints. 

• Knowledge of Manufacturing Processes: Design products using materials, fabrication techniques, tooling, and assembly methods that are optimized for efficient manufacturing. Consider factors such as scalability, quality control, and supply chain management to ensure successful launch to mass production. 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably in Mechanical, Biomedical, Materials, or Chemical Engineering. 

• Three (3) to Five (5) years or more experience in polymer product development, or a related field.  Manufacturing experience preferred. 

• Experience in the design and launch of custom OEM components, preferably in plastics and polymers 

• Demonstrated front-line leadership ability. Experience with people management preferred. 

• Proficiency with CAD tools and product design preferred. 

• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions. 

More About Filtration Group

Filtration Group is on a mission to make the world safer, healthier and more productive. With a passionate workforce, global footprint and world class engineering and manufacturing capabilities, we are driving innovation and developing solutions across a broad spectrum of applications in the fast-growing and rapidly-evolving global filtration industry. We are committed to maintaining an entrepreneurial culture built on a foundation of trust and in which our leaders exhibit a strong bias for action.   

The Company began in 2009 and has rapidly grown organically and through a thoughtful acquisition strategy to be a global leader in the highly attractive filtration industry. Filtration Group has the broadest portfolio of solutions in the industry and has had a particular focus on building a leading platform of solutions focused on the Life Sciences and Indoor Air Quality end markets which are rapidly growing in the current market environment. Filtration Group produces mission critical products with high replacement rates.  Over 80 percent of the Company’s revenue comes from replacement / consumable products, many of which are specified into customer’s products or processes.  With revenues over $2 billion, Filtration Group is consistently recognized as the fastest growing and one of the largest filtration businesses in the world and has a global footprint of 141 facilities in 28 countries. Filtration Group has over 10,000 employees who are united in their Mission to make the world safer, healthier and more productive.