Innovations Engineer

Description LAPP is a family-owned company headquartered in Stuttgart and a global leader in cable and connection technology. Founded in 1959, we are still fully family-owned today. With around 5,800 employees, we are operating in over 80 countries – globally connected and regionally rooted. Working at LAPP means more: this is where inventive spirit and a hands-on mentality meet cherished values and tradition. We offer all employees the freedom to develop and pursue new opportunities. Flexibility and personal responsibility are just as important to us as a family-friendly work environment. We value all our colleagues with their talents, ideas and perspectives. SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Director of Engineering, the Innovations Engineer is responsible for driving innovation initiatives across LAPP Americas, including R&D / technology exploration, technology scouting, prototyping, project management, and collaboration with global innovation functions. This role monitors emerging technological, regulatory, and economic trends to identify opportunities that align with LAPP’s long-term strategic direction. Operating closely with the global innovation and advanced technology function (currently based in Stuttgart, Germany), this role enables LAPP Americas to proactively shape the future of industrial connectivity solutions. This position is based out of LAPP Americas headquarters in Florham Park, NJ. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING. OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED. 1. Innovation Strategy & Technology Scouting (Primary Focus) • Researches and evaluates new technologies, materials, manufacturing methods, and market trends to identify opportunities • Maintains a structured network of technical, scientific, regulatory, and industry contacts • Participates in relevant technical committees, trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events to stay ahead of emerging trends • Identifies which committees, organizations, or events to engage with and develops business cases/justifications for participation • Brings scouting results to global attention, participates in frequent topic alignments with global innovation team and aligns Lapp Americas innovation activities with global methods and concepts 2. Ideation Pipeline & Global Collaboration • Gatekeeps the LAPP Americas Ideation Pipeline and leads monthly stakeholder touchpoints to accelerate idea qualification and progression into the Product Introduction Process (for product introduction and technology projects) • Coordinates innovation inflow from Americas into global innovation programs (such as Lapp Incubation Program) • Actively participates in LAPP Global Innovation Team activities and represents the Americas region in LAPP Tech Councils (e.g., EMC, Additive Manufacturing, DC systems) 3. R&D and Prototyping Support • Supports R&D activities through hands-on experimentation, feasibility studies, prototyping, and validation • Works closely with LAPP Americas laboratory to test concepts, evaluate materials, and identify innovative testing methods, tools, and equipment • Assists Product Engineering teams in developing next-generation industrial connectivity solutions 4. Intellectual Property (IP) & Documentation Management • Initiates and manages the IP review process for innovations originating in the Americas in close cooperation with Lapp Engineering AG for IP management • Supports documentation related to invention disclosures, prior art evaluation, and patent coordination with Global R&D head and Lapp Engineering AG for IP management 5. Cross-Functional & Customer Collaboration • Maintains strong engagement with Outside Sales, Key Accounts, and customers to gather market insights and identify needs • Builds relationships across LAPP Americas, APAC, and EMEA product development / engineering and innovation counterparts to ensure global alignment and knowledge sharing SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no supervisory responsibilities. COMPETENCIES • Strong innovation mindset with proactive, forward-thinking approach • Excellent collaboration and communication skills across internal and external stakeholders • Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage competing initiatives. • Ability to independently drive projects and deliver results with minimal supervision. • Aligns with corporate values and adheres to organizational standards. • Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approx. 20%). • Proficiency in MS Office, MS Teams, MS Project; SAP experience desirable. • Ability to build a technical network through committees, trade shows, customer visits, and university outreach. • Strong relationship-building skills with global counterparts. QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Bachelor’s degree in plastics, chemical, mechanical, or electrical Engineering • Minimum of 3-year combined experience in research and development, technology mapping, innovation management or similar preferably in the industrial connectivity space • 3-5 years combined engineering experience: o Working with industrial technologies, compounds, testing, research and development o Developing and maintaining technical networks and relationships o Reading and developing technical specifications; familiarity with NFPA, UL, CSA, ASTM, etc. • Strong proficiency with MS Office Suite, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook • Basic knowledge of SAP, AutoCAD preferred CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: N/A TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Attendance at technology, and industry trade shows, supplier visits, and committee/association events as needed once experience level is established. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluency in English, ability to speak effectively with suppliers, industry contacts and employees of organization. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. COMPUTER SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have advanced knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office. Basic knowledge of SAP and AutoCAD. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must be able to tolerate conditions associated with no air conditioning or heat. Must always observe all safety rules in lab. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. COMPENSATION: After thorough market analysis, LAPP takes many factors into consideration when determining base salary such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, etc. of the candidate. The base salary range for this role is $80,000 - $90,000 plus participation in LAPP's bonus plan. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Vision, Dental, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, 401(k), HSA/FSA, Life Insurance, and more! *LAPP is an Equal Opportunity Employer*