Product Development Engineer
Bekina, based in Kluisbergen, Belgium, has been building innovative, high-quality products since 1962 as a family-owned company. Our products can be found worldwide across a range of niche markets. You may know a farmer who wears Bekina Boots. If you enjoy a good night’s sleep, chances are you are resting on a slatted bed base with spring elements from Bekina Indurub. And if you drive through a tunnel, it may well have been waterproofed using the hydrophilic sealing solutions developed by Bekina Compounds.
With four business units (Boots, Indurub, Compounds and BeSealed), generating more than €40 million in annual revenue and employing 130 people, Bekina is an innovative industrial group ready for the future.
For our Bekina NV business unit, we are currently looking for a:
Product Development Engineer
Your Challenge
- You identify technical and commercial opportunities with customers and in the market and translate them into innovative solutions for our polyurethane safety boots. You explore applications in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, fishing, construction and industry, where safety, comfort, hygiene and sustainability are key.
- You independently manage R&D projects from concept to market launch. You define the approach, monitor progress and risks, and adjust where necessary.
- You analyze complex challenges, validate assumptions with customers and colleagues, and turn ideas into tangible results. In doing so, you collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and keep your projects on track.
- Together with the laboratory team, you test and analyze product properties. You document results, safeguard knowledge, and promote internal knowledge sharing.
- You keep up to date with new technologies, market trends and customer needs, translating relevant insights into new products, applications and improvements.
- You develop product concepts and work closely with engineering, production and sales to bring them successfully to market.
- You are encouraged to develop your own ideas, build business cases and validate new opportunities in the market.
- You report to the SDE Director and receive both the guidance and autonomy needed to grow into an expert within your field.
Your Profile
- You hold a Master's degree in Chemistry or a related field and have a strong interest in innovation, product development and sustainability within a manufacturing environment.
- You are curious, proactive and able to quickly turn new insights into concrete actions and improvements.
- You combine an investigative mindset with decisiveness. You analyze situations, make well-founded decisions and bring ideas to execution in a structured way.
- You possess strong analytical and communication skills and can translate technical and market information into clear product solutions.
- You recognize opportunities, take ownership and can inspire others to support new ideas and projects.
- You combine critical thinking with a pragmatic approach, balancing quality, speed and customer value.
- You communicate fluently in English. Knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset.
What We Offer
You will join an exciting and international environment with a no-nonsense, innovative and dynamic company culture.
Bekina is committed to the development of its employees and provides plenty of opportunities to further develop your talents and expertise.
In addition to flexible working conditions and 32 days of annual leave (20 statutory days + 12 additional ADV days), we offer an attractive salary package in line with your experience and background.
Your package is complemented by meal vouchers, group and hospitalisation insurance, remote working opportunities and a CLA90 bonus scheme.