Engineering Jobs in Mifflin Pennsylvania

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking a Quality Assurance Manager for our First Quality Retail Services facilitylocated in Lewistown, PA.

This position will be responsible for the creation, implementation and monitoring of all corporate & site Quality practices within their site of operation. Leading a team of quality professionals and driving a culture of continual improvement. Play a pivotal role and work collaboratively within the site management team, and drive quality engagement through all levels of the organization.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership and planning to develop, implement and maintain quality systems to ensure compliance to regulatory, industry, and customer standards.
• Serves as the Management Representative for all site compliance and quality systems
• Supervises the activities of assigned staff and monitor the activities of QA/QC personnel within the QA Department.
• Assure that all resources utilized for the quality functions are procured, maintained, and perpetuated in a cost effective and timely manner within the goals of the strategic business plan.
• Take the leadership role in maintaining/changing the quality culture of the company – serve as the visible model of Quality. Educate team members in the quality philosophy and practices, including improvement strategies.
• Represents the company to vendors, customers, and appropriate regulatory officials in matters related to quality.
• Administers the quality audit program.
• Provides training to team members, as required, for implementing quality initiatives.
• Work with cross-functional teams to prioritize key site projects and determine appropriate resources and timing; integrate lean six sigma activities with quality system activities such as Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) and Quality Improvements to assure effectiveness and compliance to customer and regulatory requirements.
• Develops annual quality plans and recommendations for continual improvement in conjunction with the Quality Leader and Operations Manager
• Determines methods and implements plans for professional development of personnel within the QA Department.
• Proposes budgets and monitors budget activity for the QA Department.
• Provides statistical analysis for evaluation of processes, and issue KPI reports to site leadership and divisional leaders at determined frequencies.
• Conducts lab tours and explains quality system to visitors.
• Understands competitive product features in comparison to products.
• Completes required reports and summaries for regulatory & industry agencies.
• Assists and substitutes for the Divisional Quality Leader, as needed.
• Observes all safety rules and always uses the proper safety equipment.
• Performs other duties as necessary when directed to do so.
• Follows necessary GMP, FDA, and ISO regulations.
• Manage master validation plan.
• Implement, monitor and review online Quality systems, including vision QMS Software, and SPC systems.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, Business, or Science discipline.
• Three years minimum experience as a Quality Manager, Technical Manager, or QC Supervisor in a manufacturing environment (preferably FDA-regulated environment).
• Six sigma Green Belt certified, preferred.
• Supervisory experience.
• Auditing experience in GMP and/or ISO systems.
• ASQ Certification or equivalent training (CQE, CQA, CQT, or CQM).
• Advanced skills in oral and written communications.
• Standard skills in technical, business, and managerial fields.
• Standard skills in statistics, procedure implementation, and quality auditing.
• Competent in interactions with executive management, vendors, and customers.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• ...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.

For immediate consideration, please go to the Careers section at complete our online application.

PilotCBP Air Interdiction Agent

NEW RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION INCENTIVES!

Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), offers skilled Pilots interested in law enforcement an opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission to protect America.

If you are looking for an exciting and rewarding career with excellent pay, exceptional federal benefits and job stability, now is the time to make your move: become an Air Interdiction Agent. AMO is actively recruiting for these full-time security-based opportunities with a streamlined application process. Notably, seasoned pilots and those with military training are in demandAPPLY TODAY!

DONT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE INCENTIVES SEE SALARY SECTION BELOW!

Duty Locations

Locations are offered based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs as determined by AMO. You must be willing to work at any duty location within the region you select to include but not limited to the following:

Southeast Region:Homestead, FL and CAMB:Aguadilla, PR

Southwest Region: Tucson and Yuma, AZ; San Diego, CA; El Paso, Laredo, and McAllen, TX

NASOC UAS locations:Sierra Vista, AZ; San Angelo, TX

Duties and Responsibilities

As an Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) you will perform aviation-based law enforcement operations for the detection, prevention, interdiction, and apprehension of terrorists, terrorist weapons, and other contraband and persons from illegally entering or attacking the United States. Typical duties include:

• Conducting air patrol, surveillance, and pursuit activities related to the interdiction of smuggled contraband via land vehicles, aircraft, or vessels.
• Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
• Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence.
• Supporting search and rescue and humanitarian efforts.

Salary and Benefits

Begin your career as an Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) and make up to $85,270 to - $110,846 per year based on your qualifications for the GS-11 grade level and possible extra compensation based on your duty location (see below).

Recruitment Incentive:New hires may be eligible to receive a one-time Recruitment Incentive payout of $10,000 after completing Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy (FLETC) (1 year service agreement will need to be completed) (Recruitment Incentive is only available to new Federal employees as described in 5 CFR 575.102. Eligibility will be determined by Human Resources.)

Your starting salary will include Special Salary Rate (SSR); Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP); Recruitment Incentive; and Retention Incentive.

This career ladder position has a grade level progression of GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13. You may be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level automatically (without re-applying) once you complete 52 weeks at each grade level (with supervisor approval).

Example of annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations which are currently authorized to receive LEAP (amounts below include the SSR + LEAP).

• GS-11, 1st year annual pay - $106,588
• GS-12, 2nd year annual pay - $127,754
• GS-13, 3rd year annual pay - $151,918

Example of annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations which are currently authorized to receive a 10% Retention Incentive (amounts below include the SSR + LEAP + 10% Retention Incentive UAS Sites: Sierra Vista, AZ; Grand Forks, ND; San Angelo, TX).

• GS-11, 1st year annual pay - $115,115
• GS-12, 2nd year annual pay - $137,974
• GS-13, 3rd year annual pay - $164,071

Example of annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations which are currently authorized to receive a 25% Recruitment Incentive (amounts below include the SSR + LEAP + 25% Recruitment Incentive CAMB location only; Aguadilla, PR).

• GS-11, 1st year annual pay - $127,906
• GS-12, 2nd year annual pay - $153,305
• GS-13, 3rd year annual pay - $182,302

Retention Incentive: Retention Incentive is contingent on eligibility. Eligibility will be determined by Human Resources.

• RI: Retention Incentive (25% for UAS Sites, Sierra Vista, AZ, Grand Forks, ND, San Angelo, TX)

• RI: Retention Incentive (25% for Key West, FL)

RI: Retention Incentive (25% for Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) and subordinate locations)

Air Interdiction Agents are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k) offering.

Qualifications

Experience:You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized professional aviation experience performing duties such as:

• Flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed.
• Evaluating information rapidly and making judicious decisions promptly during in-flight operations.
• Developing strategies and coordinating aircraft and ground assets.
• Using information systems and databases to conduct information surveys, queries, update files and disseminate information.
• Experience may include Operation of an aircraft as Captain, Pilot in Command, Aircraft Commander, First Officer, Certified Flight Instructor, Second in Command, or Co-pilot.

Hiring Minimums:

Certification & Ratings: A current FAA Commercial or ATP Pilot Certification with one of the following ratings:

• Dual Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument rating AND Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating.
• Airplane Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument.
• Helicopter Rated: Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating.
• Equivalent military rating of the above at the time of application (eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot).

Flight Hours: Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 flight hours; (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours.

250 Pilot-in-Command hours; 75 Instrument hours; 75 Night hours (Flight Hour Waiver available, see Required Documents); and 100 Flight hours in the last 12 months This qualification requirement is currently being waived by OPM through August 5, 2025.

FAA Class 2 medical required for assessment dated within the last 12 calendar months; FAA Class 1, FAA Class 2 or Military medical flight clearance dated within the last 12 months qualifies to start the pre-employment process for the AIA position.

Apply at 750 hours total time: Applicants applying at 750 flight hours are required to obtain at least 1,000 flight hours (depending on the number of hours approved for a waiver) at their own expense before being able to attend the 3-part flight assessment. Applicants must still meet 250 Pilot-in-Command, 75 instrument, and 75-night hours (100 flight hours in the last 12 months. This qualification requirement is currently being waived by OPM through August 4, 2026)

UAS Flight Hours:Applicants may include UAS Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) flight hours and Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) or predator-based flight hours. These hours may be credited towards satisfying the ""Total flight time"" 1,500 flight hour requirement only. UAS hours do not count towards the 250 flight hours as a Pilot in Command, 75 flight hours Instrument, and 75 flight hours Night. Flight hour logbooks will be required at the time of your Flight Assessment for verification.

Other Requirements

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

Age Requirement: Provisions of Public Laws 93-350 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with DHS Management Directive 251-03, the ""day before an individual's 37th birthday"" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a primary law enforcement officer within DHS. The age requirement is also necessary to ensure that you are able to complete the 20 years of applicable service for retirement.

NOTE: The Commissioner of CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age to 40 for original placement into an Air Interdiction Agent position.

Age Waiver: Creditable law enforcement officer service -Covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) (as a Customs and Border Protection Officer) on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans' Preference Eligibility: To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its decisionIsabellav.Dept of State,the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans' preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. 3312. You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.

Training:This position has a training requirement. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.

Travel Required: You may be expected to travel for this position based on operational needs.

How to Apply

There Are Three Ways to Apply to Become an Air Interdiction Agent:

• Fill out theAir Interdiction Agent applicant checklistand email it to a recruiter at along with a copy of your resume; OR

• Apply onUSAJOBS;OR

• Apply onAirline Apps.

Stay Updated Opt into CBPs talent repository (highly recommended) by selecting the Contact a Recruiter button. For Position of Interest select Air and Marine Operations, Air Interdiction Agent, then complete the pre-screening questions. Youll receive monthly emails with information about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with AMO and CBP.

• Government & Military

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking a Product Development Scientist for our First Quality Retail Services facility located in Lewistown, PA.

The position is responsible for creating, developing, and implementing new and proprietary designs of absorbent-related product systems based upon business, customer, and consumer needs as well as provide support for the needs of present product systems to assure competitive performance and value.

Responsibilities include:

• Participate as a member of the Product Development team; execute projects in timely, diligent, safe, and professional manner, and contribute to the growth of the team and department.
• Design new products and product improvements to meet business and consumer needs.
• Develop new and improved materials and technologies with suppliers, and ensure all new raw materials obtain proper safety testing and clearance.
• Use basic Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques to develop experimental plans.
• Support the existing business product cost improvements through product redesigns.
• Provide technical support to reduce consumer complaints.
• Support corporate proprietary technology by documenting and patenting novel ideas.
• Develop new test methods to better predict and understand product performance in use.
• Work with more senior scientist or manager to help set project objectives.
• Coach and develop indirect reports to enhance team performance towards department objectives.

Education and experience requirements include:

• Able to travel ~20-30% to US and International for product and process trials.
• Four-year technical degree (e.g. Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering) or equivalent; additional business studies preferred.
• 3+ years in R&D inventing, developing and implementing new products.
• Knowledge of and experience with developing product systems for the retail market, preferably hygiene products
• Knowledge of materials used in retail absorbent products (e.g. pulp, super absorbent polymers, nonwovens).
• Working knowledge of consumer product converting technologies for pulp, paper and nonwoven materials.
• Experience with the process of searching, evaluating and filing patents.
• Experience providing direction for the physical testing of hypotheses, resulting in specific conclusions and recommendations.
• Able to speak, read and write the English language and have strong oral and written communication skills.
• Good analytical skills, with working knowledge of basic statistics.
• Good computer skills in Microsoft Office program.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (years' worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• ...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.

For immediate consideration, please go to the Careers section at to complete our online application.

Job Title : Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component : Officer • Active Overview Design, regulate, and oversee the Navy's nuclear propulsion program, including reactor design, fleet operations, and eventual defueling and decommissioning of nuclear powered ships and submarines from Naval Reactors Headquarters and associated Department of Energy laboratories and shipyards.

Key Responsibilities Provide technical direction in areas such as reactor and fluid systems design, reactor physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves, instrumentation and control for reactor and propulsion plants, testing and quality control, radiation shielding, and chemistry and radiological controls; review designs and analyses from laboratories, shipyards, and industry partners; coordinate with fleet units to ensure safe and reliable nuclear plant operation.

What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role rather than operating plants at sea; balance long term engineering projects with time sensitive fleet and shipyard issues; frequent coordination with senior civilian engineers, naval officers, and technical teams; high expectations for attention to detail, judgment, and written and oral communication.

Work Environment Work mainly at Naval Reactors Headquarters in the Washington, District of Columbia area with regular engagement with Department of Energy laboratories, nuclear training sites, shipyards, and nuclear powered ships and submarines; office based work that includes document reviews, technical meetings, inspections, and site visits rather than day to day shipboard watchstanding.

Pathways, Training & Advancement Officer commissioning through programs such as Officer Candidate School or the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program followed by a structured technical qualification program at Naval Reactors; rotational exposure to laboratories, prototypes, shipyards, and fleet support issues; progressive responsibility leading projects and becoming a subject matter expert, with opportunities for professional military education and advanced graduate study in technical fields.

Entry through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program for qualified college students and recent graduates, or selection via Officer Candidate School for those who already hold qualifying degrees; all applicants must meet Nuclear Propulsion Program academic and technical screening standards in addition to general officer commissioning requirements.

Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include: Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor's or qualifying professional degree for officer positions Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy.

Some communities have more restrictive age ranges Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include: Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely related field that includes strong backgrounds in calculus and physics; outstanding academic record, particularly in technical coursework; United States citizenship and eligibility for a high level security clearance; strong technical aptitude and comfort with detailed analytical work.

Education Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities.

Specific options depend on the Sailor's status, training, and current Navy policy.

Pay, Benefits & Service Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options.

Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.

Incentives Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed.

Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.

Notes and Disclaimers This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community.

It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes.

Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking a Product Development Manager - Absorbent Hygiene for our First Quality Retail Services located in Lewistown, PA.

This position is responsible for the product development related to the absorbent hygiene products industry. Preferably in adult incontinence hygiene products.

This person will be responsible for developing and introducing new products and modifies existing products to meet customer needs. Collaborates with Business Unit to identify customer needs and interacts with Operations (Process Engineers, Production Planning, Project Engineers and Quality Assurance) and Marketing to implement new products in a timely manner. Must maintain an up-to-date information base on relevant new product developments (i.e. via commercial, professional, professional contacts & patent literature) and represents First Quality on professional technical committees.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Leads a cross-functional team to plan, develop, and implement product improvements and new product introductions from Operations through to the Marketplace.
• Investigates new technologies (materials & equipment) and their applicability to absorbent products.
• Works with Marketing to plan, conduct, analyze, and interpret consumer/market research studies.
• Plans, conducts, analyzes, and interprets product use tests to benchmark competitive product performance.
• Works with Patent/Trademark attorney on intellectual property considerations (patentability, infringement searches, right-to-market reviews, etc.)
• Prepares preliminary product costing for new products.
• Provides market-intelligence to corporation (patents/trademarks/industry news/etc).
• Benchmarks competitive products and develops strategies to maintain effective advantages.
• Conduct periodic review of technology patents, industry trademarks, as well as keeping abreast of new product introductions into the category.
• Develop new products from concept through commercialization. Comprise initial specifications developed in collaboration with customers, concept demonstrations, product/process development steps, scale up and final spec for product and process acceptance by customers.
• Work in a close collaboration with Business unit, Engineering, Marketing and Operations to identify opportunities for new products and improvements to current products.
• Work closely with customers’ and suppliers’ technical staff and present to them our appropriate technical capabilities.
• Work with Engineering, Process and Quality Assurance teams to optimize the technical and economic performance of existing products.
• Maintain extensive contacts with material suppliers to allow development of new raw materials and optimize the performance of current raw materials
• Maintain contacts with academic institutions and outside labs to augment the technical capabilities of First Quality.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science; MS preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of product development related absorbent hygiene products industry experience preferred, preferably in adult incontinence hygiene products.
• Knowledge of absorbent hygiene markets, products, competition, consumers, trends, etc.
• Knowledge and use of Probability and Statistical Inference.
• Knowledge and use of Design of Experiments.
• Knowledge and use of Patents/Trademarks, especially with regards to absorbent products and materials
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to develop and organize multiple projects.
• Ability to manage and lead a diverse, cross-functional team of professionals to deliver against key objectives and timelines.
• Ability to assess process and raw material impacts on product performance and consumer satisfaction.
• Ability to interact with customers on all levels in both technical and sales capacities.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Minitab, as well as other office systems.
• Able to travel domestic and international to manufacturing plants, conferences, suppliers for product and process trials, customer meetings and other business

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• ...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.

For immediate consideration, please go to the Careers section at complete our online application.

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking an Associate Product Development Scientist for our First Quality Products site located in Lewistown, PA.

This position is responsible for creating, developing, and implementing new and proprietary designs of absorbent-related product systems based upon business, customer, and consumer needs as well as provide support for the needs of present product systems to assure competitive performance and value.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

• Participate as a member of the Product Development team; execute projects in timely, diligent, safe, and professional manner, and contribute to the growth of the team and department.
• Design new products and product improvements to meet business and consumer needs.
• Develop new and improved materials and technologies with suppliers, and ensure all new raw materials obtain proper safety testing and clearance.
• Use basic Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques to develop experimental plans.
• Support the existing business product cost improvements through product redesigns.
• Provide technical support to reduce consumer complaints.
• Support corporate proprietary technology by documenting and patenting novel ideas.
• Develop new test methods to better predict and understand product performance in use.
• Work with more senior scientist or manager to help set project objectives.
• Coach and develop indirect reports to enhance team performance towards department objectives.

Education and experience requirements:

• Able to travel ~20-30% to US and International for product and process trials.
• Four-year technical degree (e.g. Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science Engineering) or equivalent; additional business studies preferred.
• 3+ years in R&D inventing, developing, and implementing new products.
• Knowledge of and experience with developing product systems for the retail market, preferably hygiene products.
• Knowledge of materials used in retail absorbent products (e.g. pulp, super absorbent polymers, nonwovens).
• Working knowledge of consumer product converting technologies for pulp, paper, and nonwoven materials.
• Experience with the process of searching, evaluating, and filing patents.
• Experience providing direction for the physical testing of hypotheses, resulting in specific conclusions and recommendations.
• Able to speak, read and write the English language and have strong oral and written communication skills.
• Good analytical skills, with working knowledge of basic statistics.
• Good computer skills in Microsoft Office program.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• ...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.

For immediate consideration, please go to the Careers section at to complete our online application.