Product Innovation Engineer

About Kent Cartridge:
Kent Cartridge is a world-leading manufacturer of shotgun shells, loaded at our factory in West Virginia.
We are innovators. In 1996, in the wake of the banning of lead to hunt migratory birds in North America, a group of passionate sportsmen were inspired to develop a new line up of quality yet affordable, high performance, non-toxic hunting loads. It was from this shared vision that Kent Cartridge was born.
Learn more here: Kent Cartridge
 

Position Summary:
The position is responsible for improving existing product lines and developing innovative new products, with a focus on engineering excellence and market-driven performance. This role involves developing and refining load recipes, collaborating with sales, marketing and production teams to ensure seamless integration of new products into production. The individual will conduct market research, analyze performance criteria, and address competitive factors while applying sound engineering principles. Regular domestic and international travel is required to support product development and observe products in the field.
This newly created position stems from our organization's strategic long-term planning and anticipated growth initiatives. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to leverage their general engineering background to develop specialized expertise in shotgun shell ammunition manufacturing.
The Ammunition Engineer – Level 1 will collaborate closely with the General Manager, Plant Manager, and senior ammunition engineering specialists both on-site and with our sister company, Gambore, in the United Kingdom. This position offers excellent professional development opportunities within a specialized technical field.
Continuous improvement and a commitment to quality are core to our culture. We foster an environment where innovation is purposeful, sustainable and aligned with both today’s market needs and tomorrow's opportunities. Our team drives a steady stream of new products through strong product life-cycle management and a focus on delivering true value to the end user while expanding profit margins. We balance building what the market demands with introducing innovations customers never knew they needed. We empower employees by removing barriers, leading by example and giving people the tools and trust to succeed. We encourage curiosity and thoughtful exploration while maintain a commitment to fact-based decision making. New ideas are welcomed, carefully evaluated and pursued when supported by sound data and testing. Success is recognized and rewarded. Team members who contribute and embody our core values find opportunities for growth, advancement and recognition. The Ammunition Engineer – Level 1 will join a strong, collaborative team – applying sound engineering principles and helping drive continued growth, excellence and innovation.
 

Position Duties:
• Improves existing product lines and develops new products.
• Researches and collaborates with sales & marketing, end users and customers to understand market needs for a product, including target environment, performance criteria and competitive issues
• Makes engineering decisions based on proper material choice, manufacturing techniques, cost, and sound engineering principles.
• Collaborate with product development team to ensure effective design transfer of new products into the manufacturing plant.
• Plan and schedule projects in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Be an integral part of the product planning and future innovation roadmap process.
• Maintain accurate documentation of concepts, designs, and processes.
• Assist with warranty claim process
• Support prototype and pilot production of new products, product changes, and enhancements.
• Performs development activities, including design, implementation, testing and documentation.
• Interfacing with various groups like marketing, manufacturing and customers to develop & maintain new product concepts.
• Visits end users to see existing products in the field.
• Ability to travel domestically & internationally.