Operations Engineer - Aston, PA

Building our Future Together. FXI is a leading manufacturer of polyurethane foam, which provides an array of comfort solutions to the Bedding, Furniture and Transportation markets. We have made it our mission to provide tailored solutions that delight our customers and consumers. We are an industry leader in the rapidly growing Mattress in a Box segment of the bedding market. We have created a "molecules to doorstep" business model that leverages our leading innovation, scale, and footprint to deliver our own brands as well as other leading brands to the market and to consumers doorsteps. With our corporate headquarters, high-tech research and development facility, and multiple manufacturing locations in North America, FXI has built a culture of innovation and achievement that is recognized by customers, suppliers and peers. We provide one of the broadest sets of comfort solutions to the broadest set of industry players, through the broadest manufacturing platform in the industry. You will find FXI's comfort technologies inside countless applications you encounter every day. Everywhere comfort is needed, FXI's innovations lead the way! We are always looking for best-in-class talent to join our innovative, fun, and value-driven culture. What are you waiting for?

Job Overview:The Operations Engineer will work out of our state-of-the-art Innovation Center where we focus on developing novel polyurethane foam formulations and products. We are seeking a skilled Mechanical Engineer to support pilot-scale operations within our Research & Development group. This role is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and optimization of polyurethane foam pilot equipment used in the development and scale-up of new formulations and processes. In addition to running the pilot lines, the Operations Engineer will provide mechanical expertise across the R&D organization, including troubleshooting equipment issues, supporting custom test setups, and contributing to mechanical design work through CAD modeling. This position requires a hands-on engineer with strong mechanical fundamentals and an interest in applied R&D.

Job Responsibilities:

• Operate, maintain, and optimize the three polyurethane foam pilot machines
• Troubleshoot mechanical and system issues with pilot equipment, collaborating with formulators, chemists, and process engineers
• Support production molded and slabstock foam facilities as needed
• Build expertise in various foam fabrication techniques
• Design and fabricate custom mechanical solutions, test fixtures, or modifications to existing equipment as R&D needs evolve
• Support CAD modeling and drawing generation for internal designs or equipment upgrades
• Maintain detailed logs, equipment records, and experimental documentation
• Contribute to safety and continuous improvement initiatives within the pilot lab environment.
• Report research and development findings in written and presentation format
• Deliver presentations to internal and external audiences
• Must be willing to travel up to a maximum of 50%

Education and Experience Requirements:

• A minimum of bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (required)
• 2-5 years of experience in an engineering or pilot plant operations role (preferred, not required)
• Experience with pump and flow control system design and maintenance (preferred, not required)
• Experience with mixing fluid dynamics (preferred, not required)
• Experience with continuous and batch chemical systems (preferred, not required)

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proficient in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Strong problem-solving skills, mechanical intuition, and a hands-on approach
• Comfortable working in a dynamic R&D environment with evolving priorities
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with internal and external colleagues, fostering a collaborative workplace environment.
• Effective communication, presentation, and people skills
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.