Staff Engineer Jobs in Iowa

SUMMARY

The Senior Staff Engineer acts as a recognized authority in materials and their application to Pella Brand products. They will lead enterprise-scale engineering projects and advancing critical material technologies and innovations. This role ensures solutions are delivered with business impact, establishes engineering standards, and influences senior leadership decisions. The Senior Staff Engineer is hands-on in solving complex problems while also driving alignment of engineering priorities across the enterprise. The scope of influence of this position spans manufacturing, engineering, product and process development, material and equipment vendors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

• Lead enterprise-scale technical initiatives that require coordination across functions and technologies.
• Serve as the primary owner for scouting, evaluating, and integrating advanced material technologies across the Pella enterprise.
• Drive innovation in material selection and application, ensuring Pella products remain at the forefront of performance, cost efficiency, and customer value.
• Act as owner of critical technologies, processes, or standards.
• Integrate advanced methods into company operations to deliver measurable business value.
• Influence senior leaders on technology adoption and investment decisions.
• Provide expert consultation on complex technical issues within and across domains.
• Mentor Sr. Tech Leaders and engineers to build organizational capability.
• Help shape the technical career path for engineers by contributing to the development and refinement of engineering progression frameworks.
• Create and provide support for Pella Corporation’s intellectual property portfolio.

Technology Scouting & Evaluation

Lead the identification and assessment of emerging material technologies within the industry. Maintain a forward-looking perspective on trends, breakthroughs, and competitive advancements in materials science.

Application Design & Integration

Design and develop applications for new materials in Pella products, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and alignment with business objectives.

Value Creation

Seek out and champion opportunities to leverage advanced materials that decrease cost, enhance product performance, or increase customer value across the enterprise.

Innovation & Collaboration

Partner with Innovation, Research, and Product Development teams to commercialize new material solutions. Influence strategic decisions that impact material selection, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness.

Technical Stewardship

Establish and maintain standards for material performance, testing, and documentation. Ensure compliance with industry regulations and reinforce Pella’s reputation for quality and innovation.

Supervisory responsibilities

No direct reports, however, may direct activity for 1-3 Laboratory Technicians and/or Engineers on a project basis.