Staff Application Engineer

About Us:

Our Commitment:
Origin is a technology company with a mission to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials. Our innovations include PET caps and closures that bring recycling circularity and enhanced performance to a ~$65 billion market, specialty materials, and our patented biomass conversion platform that transforms carbon into sustainable materials for a wide range of end products.

Innovation and Impact:
We have pioneered products that can enhance sustainability. We anticipate that our PET closure solutions can be transformative for packaging by designing for recycling circularity and improving the performance and sustainability of packaging. We have developed a technology that has the potential to replace petroleum-based materials with decarbonized materials in a wide range of end products, such as food and beverage packaging, clothing, textiles, plastics, car parts, carpeting, tires, adhesives, soil amendments, and fuels.

People at Origin Materials:
We're not just a company, we're a movement for change and our heart beats with the energy of our diverse and dedicated team. We are a group of passionate individuals who are eager to make a positive impact on the world while pushing the boundaries of innovation in our industry. We celebrate creativity, encourage fresh ideas and empower each other each team member to be a catalyst for meaningful change.

Diversity and Inclusion:
Our commitment is unwavering in the pursuit of attracting, developing and retaining the most exceptional individuals from a broad and diverse pool of candidates. We take pride in celebrating differences, actively fostering collaboration and cultivating an inclusive environment where every voice is not only heard but genuinely valued. We believe that collaboration among individuals with varied insights propels us forward and ensures our ability to tackle challenges with a comprehensive and innovative approach and we are dedicated to creating a space where individuals feel empowered to share their perspectives, knowing that their contributions are integral to our collective success.

For more information, visit our website: www.originmaterials.com.

About the Position:

• Job Title: Staff Application Engineer
• Location: Remote
• Eligible for Hybrid Work: Yes
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Department: R&D
• Reporting to: Sam Najjar
• Expected Travel: 50%

Responsibilities:

The Staff Application Engineer is a subject matter expert in product design, features and geometry and will be responsible for the management of field applications, development, and integration of closures into current and future business opportunities including capping, making new tools such as chucks and optimizing factors such as torque and top load to provide optimal cap performance on a variety of capping and filling lines. This Staff Application Engineer takes a central part in R&D polymer application development projects supporting prototype product development, innovation, and improving processes overall. In addition, the Staff Application Engineer coordinates and manages collaborators, performing experiments in the lab and on production line-equipment to develop and validate new products and processes that enhance profit margin, efficiency, or optimal performance of new or current products. This engineer works closely with external vendors and partners to evaluate and approve new methods, line integration and improvements. This Engineer also aids in formation, organization, and development of intellectual property.

• Prioritizing technical solutions, designs, innovations and maintaining project focus for customers in Product Development, cap application both commercial, and R&D
• Individual contribution and team participation on design and development projects from early-stage prototypes to making prototype samples, testing, documentation, releasing to production, and sales support. With new concepts, provide feedback in the context of customer needs. Continued Engineering team support as needed.
• Leading R&D capping effort, including making application chucks for a variety of cap geometries and different capping lines.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams including polymer, materials and design engineers as well as Operators and Technicians to solve technical issues during product development.
• Supplying and reviewing engineering designs, documentation and supporting the development of new materials or part requirements for customers across the country and internationally.
• Communicating with external vendors such as cappers, brand owners, equipment suppliers or production teams to coordinate and lead projects and trials related to product design, product qualification, scale up or process improvement and energy, yield or efficiency savings.
• Providing technical expertise and direction in the design and fabrication of prototype concepts, tooling, and testing systems.
• Assisting in providing technical support for Manufacturing, Procurement, Marketing, and Sales departments, particularly for the latest products.
• Presenting and communicating research and experiment results internally and externally including documentation when necessary for patent disclosures.
• Evaluating and qualifying new suppliers, materials and parts.
• Supporting Origin’s effort to reduce carbon footprint and sustainability.
• Contributing to Company's Intellectual Property Portfolio including submitting new invention disclosure forms and supporting the patent prosecution process.

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:

• Educational requirements
  • BS Degree in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other related fields or equivalent experience
  • Preferred:
    • MS. Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
    • Materials Science and Engineering exposure.
    • Polymer processing or science and fiber or packaging training.
• Relevant experience
  • 5-7 years – capping and tooling experience.
  • 3-5 years – Experience in polymer processing, bottling or testing.
  • 5-7 years – Experience in Position in product development, manufacturing or R&D
  • ** Experience may include a combination of work experience and education
• Skills and competencies
  • Have capping and tool making expertise including capping chuck and filling line
  • Experience in CAD and other design software for product development.
  • Have hands-on laboratory skills.
  • Independent innovator as well as a team player.
  • Familiarity with all filling lines and capping chuck types used in different applications.
  • Possess knowledge and thorough understanding of relevant manufacturing processes.
  • Have advanced mathematics knowledge and computer literacy.
  • Have advanced data analysis and knowledge of simulation including FEM.
  • Have publication quality communication skills (internal or external documents, provisional patents, and presentations).
  • Great with problem solving - you identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, gathering and analyzing information skillfully.
  • Detail-oriented and accurate - you minimize mistakes, follow every step in a process and follow through with all tasks.
  • Excellent oral communication - you speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrate presentation skills.
  • Good with written communication - you write clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
  • Quality focus, improve processes, products and services.
  • Bottling and closure experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred Certification/License: FE/EIT in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• Preferred Certification/License: Management certification for technical professional
• 5+ years – Experience in polymer or polymer composite mechanics, testing, and processing fields
• 5-7 years – Design Experience

Salary Range: This position is a Level 3 at Origin Materials. The pay range for this position level at Origin Materials is $80,500 - $158,000. This range is not necessarily a guarantee of actual compensation that may be earned nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on relevant experience, education and other factors.

Benefits and Perks

Origin Materials understands that our greatest asset is our talented and dedicated team. To show our appreciation and support for your well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package. Highlights include:

• Health Insurance: Your health is paramount and we've got you covered. Enjoy access to quality health coverage that extends to you and your dependents.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Secure your financial future with our 401(k) plan, designed to help you plan for retirement and build a stable financial foundation.
• Generous Paid Time Off: We believe in the importance of rest and rejuvenation. Benefit from our generous PTO policies that give you the flexibility to recharge or attend to personal matters.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): We care about your holistic well-being. Our EAP provides confidential counseling and support services, assisting you in navigating life's challenges, both personal and professional.
• Flexibility: We understand that a flexible work environment contributes to a healthier work-life balance and we value the unique needs of our team members. While some roles within our organization may require an onsite presence or specific working hours for collaboration and specific job functions, we are committed to providing flexibility within the scope of the position.
• Professional Development: Your growth is our priority. Access opportunities for professional development to enhance your skills and advance your career within our dynamic organization.

Hiring Process:

Application Process:

• Interested candidates should apply at link.
• Please reach out to hr@originmaterials.com if you have any questions or require additional assistance.

Initial Screening:

• Qualified candidates will undergo an initial resume screening and phone screening.

Interview Process:

• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for more in-depth (phone/video/in-person) interviews.
• Interviews may include technical and cultural assessments / presentations.

Final Selection:

• Successful candidates will undergo a final interview with one of our two Founders.
• Final selection will be communicated via email.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):

Origin Materials is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to providing a workplace that is free from any form of discrimination, including but not limited to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.