Will be responsible for developing and testing new products and processes, improving existing product designs, and providing technical support with the overall goal of growing the organizations’ consumable products business.  Use an ‘applied research’ approach to develop new (and improve existing) metallic, ceramic coated, carbide coated, composite and polymer-based blade and wear surface products. Develop and complete specialized materials testing programs to evaluate and compare various blade and wear surface products. Interact directly with Sales, product managers and customers so that our customer needs, related to blades and other wear surfaces, are thoroughly understood. Continuously evaluate our business’ existing product offerings and identify New Product Development opportunities. Research and test competitors’ products and compare them to our product offerings. Coordinate with our European affiliates in the development and testing of new blade materials, wear surface products, and manufacturing processes. Research leading edge materials and materials processing technologies and other materials related topics that are applicable to our business (either for product development or product promotion purposes) and present this information to internal audiences. Provide technical guidance and suggestions for material selections and surface treatments for new standard products outside of the organization’s consumable products. Build technical relationships with one or more of the local technical universities (WPI, UMASS, MIT, and RPI). Utilize these university resources in support of product development and product promotion. Provide technical support to Sales, Customers, Application Engineers, Manufacturing, Purchasing and others on materials related topics. Work with a “continuous improvement” mentality. Strive to develop new methods and tools that can help our business become more successful.