Product Development Engineer

Overview

Porex, a Filtration Group company, is a global leader in advanced porous solutions for the healthcare, consumer, and industrial markets. Our mission is to create a safer, healthier, and more productive world through cutting-edge technology and exceptional service. At Porex, we cultivate a culture driven by a Bias for Action, Trust, and an Entrepreneurial Spirit.

We are seeking a Product Development Engineer to join our team in Richmond, VA. This critical role is responsible for designing new products and processes that align with customer performance objectives. Working alongside other PDEs and PDE technicians, you will lead product development initiatives from concept to commercialization.

As a key contributor, you will establish design objectives, develop prototypes, assess manufacturability, liaise with customers, manage projects, and coordinate with cross-functional teams. This is an exciting opportunity to drive innovation, enhance product value, and contribute to the growth of our business. If you are a results-driven engineering professional with a passion for problem-solving and leadership, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Workplace Standards
• Champion safety protocols and foster a culture of safety awareness.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant work environment.
• Product Design & Development
• Develop new product concepts based on customer requirements.
• Utilize engineering principles, CAD software, and simulations to translate ideas into viable designs.
• Iterate on designs based on test results and customer feedback.
• Prototyping & Feasibility Assessment
• Build and test prototypes to evaluate functionality and manufacturability.
• Conduct cost analyses and risk assessments for new products.
• Plan and execute testing protocols to validate designs.
• Project Management
• Manage product development projects, ensuring adherence to timelines and milestones.
• Provide regular progress updates to internal stakeholders and customer teams.
• Lead stage-gate reviews for the cross-functional site team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with the PDE team and Operations Group to align resources with project goals.
• Communicate effectively to coordinate schedules, resolve technical challenges, and ensure project success.
• Professional Growth & Leadership
• Demonstrate self-motivation and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Serve as a mentor and resource for junior engineers.

Qualifications

Core Competencies

• Engineering Expertise: Deep understanding of engineering principles and product development processes. Ability to analyze technical requirements, develop functional and efficient designs, and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Customer-Focused Innovation: Strong commitment to understanding customer needs and delivering innovative solutions that meet or exceed market expectations.
• Project Leadership & Execution: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and drive timely execution. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Analytical & Critical Thinking: Ability to evaluate complex challenges, optimize designs, and resolve technical obstacles.
• Manufacturing Knowledge: Familiarity with polymer materials, fabrication techniques, tooling, and scalable production methods.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Biomedical, Materials, or Chemical Engineering preferred).
• 3-5+ years of experience in polymer product development, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience designing and launching custom OEM components, particularly in plastics and polymers.
• Proficiency with CAD tools and product design software.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification (preferred).

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.