Research & Development Engineer

Wilmington, MA, United States

UniFirst Corporation is a leading industrial laundry company committed to providing high-quality laundry solutions to our clients. With a focus on innovation and excellence, we strive to continually improve our processes and technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers. We are seeking a talented and motivated Research and Development Engineer to join our team and drive innovation in our industrial laundry plants.

As a Research and Development Engineer at UniFirst Corporation, you will play a key role in developing and improving our laundry equipment, technologies, processes, and services. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for innovation, conduct research, and lead development projects from concept to implementation. Your work will contribute to enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of our laundry solutions, ultimately delivering value to our customers, and advancing our competitive position in the market.

Responsibilities

Needs Assessment: Identify areas of opportunity in our industrial laundry plants, including equipment, technologies, processes, and services.

Research and Analysis: Conduct research and analysis to identify emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in industrial laundry processes and equipment.

Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, IT, Production, SRO (Strategic Realization Office), Marketing, and Sales, to ensure alignment of R&D efforts with business objectives and customer needs.

Develop/Install/Implement Solutions: Lead the design, development, and testing of new laundry equipment and applications, including but not limited to material handling systems, robotics, assisted reality solutions, energy metering/management, linen sorting solutions, and waste processing/removal.

Process Optimization: Identify opportunities to optimize existing laundry operations and workflows to improve efficiency, reduce costs, improve safety, and enhance quality.

Prototyping and Testing: Develop prototypes and conduct rigorous testing to evaluate the performance, durability, and safety of new equipment and technologies.

ROI Analysis: Work with Industrial Engineers and Project Managers to assess return on investment tied to the deployment of new equipment, systems, and processes.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and safety requirements in all R&D activities and product designs.

Documentation: Prepare technical documentation, including specifications, reports, and manuals, to communicate R&D findings, project updates, and product specifications.

Continuous Learning: Stay abreast of advancements in industrial laundry technology, materials science, and related fields through ongoing learning and professional development activities.

Work with others on the Team to effectively manage projects including planning, task/resource allocation, scheduling, installation/testing, deployment, and post deployment follow up.

Qualifications

Requirements

3-5 years of experience in research and development, preferably in the industrial laundry or related industry.

Strong technical skills in engineering design, material handling systems, product development, and process improvement.

Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and other engineering tools.

Experience with Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Assisted Reality is a plus.

Excellent problem-solving abilities and analytical skills.

Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results on time and within budget.

Ability to work calmly and constructively under pressure and meet deadlines.

Must demonstrate exceptional communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively and asking questions where clarification is needed.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision (self-starter) and to be able to work well with a team for a common goal.

Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality and monitors own work to ensure quality is met.

Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge of regulatory requirements and standards applicable to industrial equipment and chemical products (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ANSI, ASTM).

Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time on average.

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Master’s Degree in Engineering or related field including Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering

Benefits & Perks

401K with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses.

UniFirst is an international leader in garment & Uniform services industry. We currently employ over 14,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine’s “Best Companies to Sell For” list and recognized on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum 400 – Best Big Companies” list. As an 80-year old company focused on annual growth, there’s never been a better time to join our team.

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws

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