Product Development Engineer

Here at DS Smith we are looking for a creative & skilled Product Development Engineer that has a passion for making a difference.

About DS Smith

DS Smith are a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services worldwide. 

It’s a very exciting time to join, as we have committed to invest into Research & Development and the circular economy across our Innovation, Sustainability and Digital & Data teams.

Be a game changer! Invent, reimagine and redefine packaging!

About the role

The role of Product Development Engineer sits within the Group Innovation Team. The Group Innovation team at DS Smith was established in 2019, with the mandate to initiate, develop and support the deployment of breakthrough, next-generation packaging innovations that can deliver significant value to our customers and the company.

The Product Development Engineer will report directly into the Head of Product Development and the team’s core focus will be the Technical development phase of Group Innovation’s project pipeline.

This phase of the process focuses on all the key stages of technical development after the culmination of the ideation phase, from initial concept feasibility, through to detailed technical testing and product viability.

The role is diverse and varied, to include the development and execution of testing programmes, data analysis, refinement of concepts, exploration of new materials, support of the design-for-manufacture process, customer pilot programmes and trials.

The Product Development Engineer will work in a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team, managing many projects simultaneously. They’ll work alongside engineers, designers, project managers, machine systems specialists, lab and pack technicians and commercial analysts. 

The ideal candidate will enjoy the process of problem solving, analytical thinking and be highly curious. They should bring a fresh pair of eyes to the team from outside the industry and will be inquisitive, challenging the everyday.

• Responsible for the development of concepts using different technical tools and software, i.e. lab testing, 3D modelling and printing, prototyping etc

• Specify and recommend test methods to develop and validate packaging designs (sometimes designing new tests or methodology i.e. 3D printing test jigs)

• Develop and implement comprehensive test plans to ensure that packaging meets performance requirements and is technically feasible.

• The execution of testing programmes, overseeing as well as supporting with the outputting of samples.

• Analysis of data from the testing programs using various software packages including Excel, MATLAB, Origin etc

• Collation of findings and results from testing programs and formulating them into reports and presentations when necessary.

• Work with the Technology & Operations team to ensure that the packaging designs are optimised for manufacturability.

• Create real-life product and transit trials to fully stress test concepts in our customer’s supply chains

• Manage small to medium sized projects as well as working as part of a larger project team across the Group Innovation department.

• Willingness to learn more about corrugate manufacturing and paper-based packaging design, to apply their knowledge and experience to our ways of working and challenge them.

• Full first-aid training will be provided by SJA to all employees to qualify them as a workplace first-aider

You’ll be based at our flagship Innovation and R&D centre in Redditch, Birmingham but will be required to travel on occasion to other DSS sites or to visit suppliers (travel expenses included). 

About you

• Educated to a degree level in an Industrial design or engineering focused discipline, i.e., Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, Industrial Design etc.

• Preferably with some experience in industry to demonstrate that they have applied their degree learning to real world situations.

• Experience using 2D and 3D software modelling packages and a willingness to learn packaging CAD systems such as Artios.

• Adept at data analysis, and the use of programmes like MATLAB, origin ect.

• Experience in materials science, recyclability and performance specification is preferable but is not a requirement.

• Experience using 3D printing equipment is preferable but is not a requirement.

• IT literate: -  Sound knowledge and experience of Microsoft applications, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, etc. 

• Ability to communicate complex information in an easy-to-understand format.

Benefits

• Competitive salary 

• Company bonus

• Pension scheme

• Life assurance

• Income protection

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays 

• Annual Cycle to Work Scheme