Principal Polymer Processing Engineer, Injection Molding

Principal Polymer Processing Engineer

Injection Molding

Location: Largo, FL (Remote)
Department: Engineering / Operations
Job Category: Engineering
Career Track: Individual Contributor
Job Profile: Principal Engineer
Reports To: Sr. Director Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt

***This position is not eligible for employer-based sponsorship***

Position Summary

The Principal Polymer Processing Engineer is a recognized technical expert responsible for advancing injection molding capabilities, polymer processing technologies, and manufacturing performance across CONMED. This role provides technical leadership for the plastic parts design geometry for injection molding manufacturability; for new injection molds design conceptualization, manufacturing and performance testing; for the plastic injection molding cell equipment selection and performance testing; for the plastic injection molding process optimization and qualification; and for the sustaining support of the plastic injection molding process and mold’s production life cycle maintenance for plastic parts used to manufacture medical devices and components. Working across Engineering, Operations, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, and external partners, the Principal Polymer Processing Engineer leads highly complex technical initiatives from concept through commercialization and ongoing production. The individual serves as a trusted technical advisor, applying advanced engineering judgment to solve critical processing challenges; establishing technical standards; reducing manufacturing risk; and improving product quality, cost, capacity and reliability.

This is an individual-contributor position that leads through technical expertise, influence, and cross-functional collaboration rather than direct people management.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Process Development

• Serve as a Technical Advisor to Sourcing and Quality in custom molders facilities; molding cells equipment; injection molding process optimization and troubleshooting; mold design and manufacturing; mold preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and tooling engineering; metrology and MSA; and quality engineering technical capacities & capabilities assessment, and periodic audits.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert in part design conceptualization for injection molding manufacturability; injection molding process optimization; injection molding process engineering (troubleshooting); mold design concept optimization; and mold tooling engineering (troubleshooting).
• Lead the development, optimization, qualification and validation of complex injection molding processes, equipment, molds and supporting technologies.
• Establish robust processing strategies based on polymer science, material characteristics, part design, mold design, equipment capability, and intended product requirements.
• Apply scientific molding principles and structured experimentation to define processing windows and ensure repeatable, capable, and controlled manufacturing processes.
• Provide technical direction for challenging molding applications involving tight tolerances, complex geometries, engineered resins, high-performance polymers, multi-material components, insert molding, overmolding, or other specialized processes.
• Evaluate emerging polymer-processing technologies and recommend investments that support product innovation, manufacturing capability, capacity, quality, and long-term business needs.
• Develop and maintain technical standards, engineering practices, design guidelines, specifications, and process-development methodologies.
• Translate complex technical information into clear recommendations for engineering, operations, and business leadership.

New Product and Technology Development

• Partner with R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Supply Chain to support new product development and product-transfer activities.
• Provide design-for-manufacturability guidance related to polymer selection, molded-part design geometry, tooling strategy, tolerances, gating, cooling, shrinkage, warpage, and process capability.
• Lead or provide technical oversight for mold-flow analysis; tool design reviews; mold manufacturing and performance testing; process characterization; equipment selection and performance testing; and manufacturing-readiness assessments.
• Identify technical risks early in the development process and establish appropriate mitigation plans.
• Lead the transition of injection-molded products and processes from development through validation, commercialization, and sustained production.
• Define critical process parameters and support the development of appropriate inspection, monitoring, and control strategies.
• Ensure that technical decisions balance product performance, patient and user needs, compliance, manufacturability, cost, capacity, and business continuity.

Process Validation and Compliance

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