Product Development Engineer

Job Details
Job Location
Somerset - Somerset, NJ
Description
Do you love candy and snacks? Are you looking to join an ever evolving and rapidly growing team? PIM Brands might just be exactly what you're looking for!
At PIM, we make the brands you love. Our portfolio of products, from Welch's® Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid® Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks® Sour Candies are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. And when it comes to careers, we seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. At PIM, you can make an immediate and lasting contribution to help grow iconic snack and confectionery brands, no matter your area of expertise.
We are looking for people with experience in Product Development Engineer, interested in starting a SWEET career as part of our team at PIM.
We are proud to offer:

Comprehensive benefits package - effective day 1, Including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and more!
401(k) plan match
Holiday bonus
Personal time off, vacation, paid holidays, and floating days.
JOB OVERVIEW
As a New Product Development Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing new products. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative fruit snack formulations that meet consumer preferences, regulatory requirements, and production feasibility.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Build and test prototypes to validate product concepts, assess feasibility, and identify design improvements. Conduct design reviews and collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize product performance, cost, and manufacturability.
Product Conceptualization:
Collaborate with product managers, marketing teams, and customers to identify market needs, define product requirements, and develop innovative product concepts and designs.
Materials and Manufacturing Process Selection:
Evaluate materials, manufacturing processes, and suppliers to ensure that product designs are feasible, cost-effective, and scalable for mass production.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to develop production plans and manufacturing processes.
Testing and Validation:
Develop and execute test plans to validate product performance, reliability, and safety.
Conduct design verification testing, reliability testing, and regulatory compliance testing to ensure that products meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.
Project Management:
Lead cross-functional project teams to manage the development process, track project milestones, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Communicate project status, risks, and issues to stakeholders and senior management.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product design, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Analyze customer feedback, market trends, and competitive intelligence to identify opportunities for product enhancements and differentiation.
Qualifications
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Bachelor's degree in Food science, Food Engineering, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
Minimum 2 years' experience operating in a manufacturing environment. Previous experience in new product development or research and development within the food industry, preferably in fruit snacks or similar products.
Knowledge of food processing technologies, ingredient functionality, and sensory evaluation techniques.
Familiarity with food safety regulations, SQF, quality management systems, and HACCP principles.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot technical issues and optimize product formulations.
Communication:
Able to clearly, crisply, and persuasively present ideas orally and through writing, gain alignment from all levels in organization and cross-functional teams