Career Opportunities: New Product Development Engineer (66354)

Product Development Engineer

As a key member of the Design Engineering team, the Product Development Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and launching next-generation products across the Waukesha Cherry-Burrell (WCB) portfolio, including pumps, valves, scraped surface heat exchangers (SSHE), and other fluid-handling components, which are manufactured at our Delavan, WI factory and sold globally. This role directly contributes to new product development (NPD) growth, profitability, and vitality orders by converting customer insights, engineering analysis, and market needs into high-performance sanitary processing equipment.

The role will lead projects spanning early-stage ideation, concept development, prototyping, testing, and commercialization, delivering on time, within budget, and in accordance with performance specifications. WCB products support critical applications in food, beverage, dairy, personal care, chemical, and other processing industries, offering opportunities to innovate in both established and emerging markets.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Product Design & Development

• Design and develop new products using advanced 3D CAD (Inventor/Autodesk), engineering principles, and modern analysis tools to deliver best-in-class processing equipment.
• Conduct feasibility studies, tolerance stack-ups, and interpret FEA and CFD results to ensure designs meet performance, durability, and hygienic standards.
• Create prototypes, coordinate lab testing, analyze results, and refine designs through iterative development cycles.
• Evaluate new materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes to improve performance, reliability, and product cost.

Project Execution & Technical Leadership

• Lead projects through the Stage-Gate NPD process, ensuring technical rigor, on-time delivery, and adherence to performance requirements.
• Prepare cost estimates, risk assessments, design reports, and technical documentation.
• Track project milestones and provide timely updates to key stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with manufacturing engineers, machinists, contract manufacturers, and the Delavan operations team to optimize designs for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA).
• Work directly with Product Management, Applications Engineering, Sales, Quality, Sourcing, and Supply Chain through all phases of development.
• Coordinate with global engineering teams to ensure consistent standards, shared learnings, and seamless project execution according to business priorities.
• Perform other product development related duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities across design processes, materials selection, and product lifecycle management.
• Apply creativity and structured problem-solving to overcome technical challenges and develop novel product concepts.
• Support value-engineering (VAVE) and product vitality initiatives to strengthen competitiveness and broaden market applicability.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including mechanics, thermal sciences, and fluid dynamics, with applicable experience in rotating equipment or hygienic components.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing methods and sanitary design requirements and industry guidelines such as 3-A and EHEDG.
• Proven track record of meeting commitments with the highest level of standards, ethics, and integrity.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (Inventor/Autodesk) and MS Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to think analytically and creatively, experiment quickly, iterate solutions, and make data-driven recommendations.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively across teams and interact confidently with customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize according to business needs, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience working with global teams, including Engineering, Sourcing, and manufacturing partners.
• Positive, energetic attitude with a clear sense of urgency and direction; able to inspire and invigorate associates at all levels; promote concepts effectively.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5–10 years of design experience (or 4–8 years with a Master's).
• Experience with CAD (preferred CAD/PDM system is Inventor/Autodesk Vault).
• Experience with new product development and Stage-Gate processes.
• Experience with FEA, CFD, and thermal/heat-transfer analysis tools.
• Background in precision machining, rotary equipment, pumps, or valves.
• Experience in the food, beverage, or sanitary process equipment industry strongly preferred.

Competencies

Aligning Performance for Success - Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives.

Building a Successful Team - Using appropriate methods and a flexible interpersonal style to help build a cohesive team; facilitating the completion of team goals.

Building Trust - Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization.

Coaching and Developing Others - Providing feedback, instruction, and development guidance to help others excel in their current or future job responsibilities; planning and supporting the development of individual skills and responsibilities.

Communication - Clearly and succinctly conveying information and ideas to individuals and groups in a variety of situations; communicating in a focused and compelling way that drives others' thoughts and actions. Engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Continuous Improvement - Originating action to improve existing conditions and processes; identifying improvement opportunities; generating ideas, and implementing solutions.

Continuous Learning - Actively identifying new ideas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.

Customer Focus - Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers' and own organization's needs.

Delegating Responsibility - Allocating decision-making authority and/or task responsibility to appropriate others to maximize the organization's and individuals' effectiveness.

Facilitating Change - Encouraging others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.

Gaining Commitment - Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas and plans; modifying one's own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.

Planning and Organizing - Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

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 frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

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.

Working conditions are normal for an office and/or client site workshop or warehousing facility. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet, however local and client sites can be unpredictable and associated safety equipment should be worn accordingly.

SPX FLOW Values

SPX FLOW employees are expected to behave in accordance with our company values as outlined below.

Quality

Quality encompasses all aspects of SPX FLOW's business, and every employee shares the responsibility to prevent the occurrence of any nonconformity relating to products, processes, and the quality systems. All employees have an obligation to identify and record any such nonconformity, and through designed channels, initiate and recommend solutions.

Disclaimer

SPX FLOW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.