Franklin Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft interior components. Since 1988, Franklin Products has been dedicated to producing high quality engineered products and providing great service to ensure customer satisfaction. We are a global company, operating facilities in Torrington, CT, Irving, Texas, Mexico, and United Kingdom, and Poland.
Position: Materials Specialist
As Materials Specialist, you will be joining a team focused on bringing exciting innovations to the aircraft interiors industry. You will work with customers, suppliers, and engineers on multiple projects, utilizing a wide range of skills. You will team with Sales and Marketing to understand customer requirements in order to develop and promote products that create new business opportunities for Franklin Products, Inc.
Responsibilities may include: • Collaborate with Sales/ Marketing and Design Engineering to determine best materials and technologies to offer customers • Introduce new materials and innovative concepts for using existing materials • Evaluate proposed new materials to assess effectiveness and benefits • Develop schedule of physical properties requirements for new and existing materials • Write test plans and procedures to test and verify materials meet all requirements • Lead and/or assist with new product development projects including design, measurements, testing, manufacturing trials, and related documentation from concept thru production qualification • Evaluate product applications and advise on material selection • Assess and analyze customer wants/needs and identify new materials that fulfill those needs • Identify, select, and recommend materials based on weight, strength, cost, and durability • Identify problems and solutions involving material durability • Test and evaluate material physical properties using standardized test methods; write test reports. Be involved in section of test equipment and oversight of test facilities • Measures performance of various materials in accordance with specifications • Perform materials testing for internal evaluation as well as for customer testing/feedback • Introduce new materials; present ideas or innovations to management • Ensure new materials meet specifications, cost targets, and timing plans • Work with technical staff to design, construct, modify, test and verify physical prototypes • Summarize results and communicate progress against objectives and project costs • Recommend improved designs based on test results, observations, and customer feedback • Keep informed on industry news, trends, products, services, and competitors • Benchmark competitive products, determine appropriate positioning of new products • Travel to customers, suppliers, or Franklin Products' facilities as required • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within department. • Recognize your role as part of the Company's Quality Objective; follow established policies and procedures in support of the Company's Quality and AS9100 standards and initiatives • Maintain work area in a clean, orderly, and safe manner • Conduct research and development activities and other job related duties as assigned
Skills: • Strong design engineering ability • A high degree of creativity and latitude is expected • Strong problem solving skills • Ability to uncover obscure solutions to product implementation challenges • Highly organized with strong project management skills • Ability to work under extreme pressure with strict deadlines • Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks • Strong presentation skills • Excellent oral and written communications skills • Excellent analytical and computational skills
Experience/Education: • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or Materials Engineering. • 2-5 years of experience in the field or in a related field • Design engineering experience desirable • FRP composites, plastics, adhesives, and advanced manufacturing technologies, a plus