Full-Time
Lead Engineer
Watermill Express
51-200 employees
Automated water and ice vending network
Compensation Overview
$125k - $145k/yr
+ 25% bonus
Brighton, CO, USA
In Person
Bachelor's
Category
 Engineering Management (1) |
|---|
Required Skills
Welding
ERP
SolidWorks
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Requirements
- A Bachelor of Science in Engineering is required; Mechanical Engineering or a related field is preferred.
- A minimum of 7 years of engineering experience is required, including at least 3 years of mechanical engineering experience.
- Experience leading or mentoring junior engineers is required.
- Knowledge of water treatment technologies and ice production or packaging systems is required.
- Experience in technical product support or technical writing is required.
- Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing and weld documentation standards is required.
- Hands-on experience with fabrication, modification, and 3D printing is required.
- Experience administering SolidWorks PDM is required.
- Experience managing bills of material is required.
- Experience with Acumatica or a similar enterprise resource planning system is required.
- Exposure to programming or controls technologies is required.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
- The ability to lead, train, and focus a small engineering team is required.
- Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, including training others, is required.
- Experience managing products through the full lifecycle from concept to production is required.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning systems and engineering integration is required.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, including machining, fabrication, welding, and material selection, is required.
- Working knowledge of electrical systems and control system programming is required.
- Strong engineering judgment and independent decision-making ability are required.
- Experience with Design for Manufacturing and Design of Experiments is required.
- Strong problem-solving and technical troubleshooting skills using appropriate tools are required.
- High attention to detail and organizational ability are required.
- The ability to manage multiple concurrent projects is required.
- The ability to lift 25 pounds occasionally is required.
- The ability to sit and stand for long periods, use hands repetitively, work on a computer, communicate by phone and email, and walk, stand, stoop, and bend is required.
Responsibilities
- Own engineering design, manufacturing support, and state regulatory compliance for the company's kiosk products.
- Lead product development from concept through production while ensuring design integrity, manufacturability, quality, cost effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
- Provide technical leadership, manage engineering systems and documentation, and support continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing and field operations.
- Lead engineering design and evaluation activities.
- Represent the engineering function in cross-departmental initiatives.
- Oversee Quality and Compliance engineering activities.
- Provide leadership and direction to a small team of engineers.
- Manage third-party electrical, mechanical, and programming consultants as needed.
- Use SolidWorks to create and revise designs supporting fabrication, machining, welding, electrical integration, and in-house assembly.
- Oversee and coordinate third-party development of the units' control-system code.
- Select appropriate materials and design for manufacturability.
- Support and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
- Design fixtures and perform lifting and loading calculations to improve manufacturing processes.
- Build and test prototypes to validate new designs or modifications.
- Conduct and document field installation testing of prototypes, systems, or units.
- Own new and existing products, systems, and designs.
- Ensure product compliance with applicable state regulations.
- Manage the Engineering Change Order process.
- Maintain and control Bills of Material within engineering and enterprise resource planning systems for new and existing products.
- Develop and maintain manufacturing work instructions and standard work documentation.
- Use enterprise resource planning systems to integrate engineering and manufacturing processes.
- Conduct supplier selection analysis with Procurement to ensure cost, quality, and performance standards are met.
- Collaborate with Technical Services to resolve field performance issues.
- Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis using structured problem-solving tools including 8D, A3, and 5 Whys.
- Participate in process improvements to enhance quality, reliability, and efficiency.
- Maintain regular and predictable attendance for the required schedule.
- Follow safety guidelines and act in a safe manner.
- Perform other assigned duties.
Watermill Express runs a network of automated water and ice vending stations where customers drive up and refill their own bottles with water or pick up ice. The system is self-service and pays per refill, with revenue from water, ice, and related items like reusable bottles. Stations are serviced daily and monitored 24/7 by computers to ensure cleanliness and safety, including advanced filtration such as reverse osmosis. The company differentiates itself by emphasizing hygiene, high-purity water, and an environmentally friendly model that reduces plastic waste and saves customers money. Its goal is to provide affordable, safe drinking water while making convenient, eco-friendly hydration accessible to environmentally-conscious consumers.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Brighton, Colorado
Founded
1979
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- El Paso approved a new Fox Plaza station in January 2026, replacing an older unit.
- Brentwood said Watermill roughly tripled EBITDA through new stations and ice prototypes.
- Consumers seeking cheaper, reusable-bottle refills support continued demand in Sunbelt suburbs.
What critics are saying
- Yucca Valley rejected a Watermill station in July 2026, signaling zoning resistance.
- BBB complaints and Yelp reports cite double charges and billing disputes, damaging trust.
- Local permit fights can stall expansion; a sustained approval slowdown caps unit growth.
What makes Watermill Express unique
- Watermill Express runs unattended drive-up water and ice stations, reducing labor costs.
- Brentwood’s 2025 $410 million continuation fund backs Watermill’s franchise and prototype expansion.
- Its 24/7 computerized monitoring and state-certified testing create a defensible quality narrative.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Life Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
401(k) Company Match
Performance Bonus
Growth & Insights
Growth & Insights
Headcount