New Product Development Engineer

We’re Watts. Together, we’re reimagining the future of water.

We feel proud every day about what we do. We're all part of the same crucial mission, no matter what function we support -- it's to provide safe, clean water for the world, and to protect our planet's most valuable resource.

What we do:

For 150 years, Watts has built best-in-class products that are trusted by customers in residential and commercial settings across the world. We are at the forefront of innovation, working with cutting-edge technology to provide smart and connected, sustainable water solutions for the future. Watts is a leading brand with a quality reputation — and we have a dynamic future ahead.​

The Operations New Product Development Engineer will be responsible for managing all aspects of New Product Introduction (NPI) for our Water Quality division. This role reports directly to the Technical Development and Testing Manager. This position will work closely with teams across the organization—including Engineering, Marketing, Product Management, Customer and Product Support, Sales, Sustaining Engineering, Quality, IT, Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, and Operations—to ensure smooth and complete integration of new products into our processes. This position supports a well-established and growing business that is highly respected in the industry.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare documentation to support the quality system for design functions, including project plans, concept documents, FMEAs, design inputs, test results, and drawings.
• Create technical documentation such as manufacturing instructions, test methods, drawings, BOMs, protocols, and reports to support design control activities.
• Perform Verification and Validation (V&V) activities, including drafting and executing protocols and reports for approval.
• Conduct testing to verify that designs meet engineering specifications.
• Document engineering work in compliance with the company’s quality system.
• Identify hazards and mitigate risks using Design and Process FMEAs; assess failure modes and conduct technical risk analyses.
• Lead First Article Inspections (FAI), Initial Sample Inspection Reports (ISIR), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), and Installation/Operational/Performance Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) activities for new product designs.
• Compile and analyze data, identify root causes, draw conclusions, and generate detailed reports.
• Provide hands-on technical support in prototyping and device development.
• Manage processes to ensure activity goals and project milestones are achieved.
• Train and/or provide work direction to technicians and junior engineers.
• Participate in cross-functional teams focused on product changes, including quality, manufacturing, engineering, customer support, and product management.
• Deploy tools to track and communicate all aspects of product and change introduction, aligned with evolving configurations and customer requirements.
• Maintain a rolling action item list addressing key tasks for removing barriers and improving process efficiency; assign and follow up with non-operations teams to ensure resolution.
• Maintain critical operations performance metrics and dashboards to drive milestone tracking and highlight key phase gate deliverables.
• Lead action plans to improve cycle time, capacity, test detectability, troubleshooting effectiveness, product quality, reliability, warranty, and inventory performance.
• Ensure alignment of all operational functions with change activities to meet critical timeframes and drive successful outcomes.
• Serve as a key contributor within broader program management teams, collaborating cross-functionally to meet customer and business requirements.
• Assess and drive manufacturability for all introduced product changes.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field from an accredited university.
• 2+ years’ experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodology.
• Travel required: 20%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proven leadership experience with a track record of motivating teams and driving results under challenging conditions.
• Strong background in Program Management and capital implementation, with experience using Stage Gate methodology.
• In-depth understanding of manufacturing metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex issues and effectively engage diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to identify, prioritize, and resolve barriers—whether technical, administrative, or resource-related.
• Highly effective in partnering with site leadership, factory teams, engineering, and other functional groups.
• Fast learner with a strong bias for speed, innovation, and intelligent risk-taking.
• Experience in creating and managing processes for production planning, scheduling, and forecasting.
• Ability to develop and justify resource requirements through solid financial analysis and business reasoning.
• Relevant experience in the following areas is strongly preferred:
  • Operations or development engineering
  • Water quality and treatment technologies
  • Quality and regulatory systems
• Green Belt certification is preferred.
• Familiarity with SIOP methods, service part planning tools, MRP, and ERP systems.
• Comfortable working in a cross-functional, matrixed organization.

MANAGEMENT:

This position has no direct reports.

*PHYSICAL & METNAL DEMANDS:

• Frequently requires problem solving, analyzing and interpreting data, and extended focus.
• Position requires sitting at a computer screen for extended periods of time.
• Understanding of deadlines within a fast paced environment.
• Ability to compare and evaluate possible courses of conduct and act or make decisions after various possibilities have been considered.
• Ability to make effective and sound decisions having significant impact on the business.
• Regularly operates a personal computer and express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Occasionally walks, stands, bends, squats, climbs, kneels, twists, power grasps, performs fine manipulation, push and pull, reach above and below shoulder level, lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
• Individual will work in and around equipment and machinery in a shop environment, and walk on uneven ground.
• Exposed to excessive noise, dust, gas, fumes or chemicals and requires use of protective equipment as needed.

*WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in both an office and shop environment.  For work that is performed in an office, the noise level is usually moderate i.e., business office with computer printer, and light traffic.  Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are not hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. When in the shop environment, conditions vary based on the area and project.

*As required by the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)

Watts in it for you:

Please note that the followingbenefits apply only to permanent roles and do not apply to internship roles.

• Competitive compensation based on your skills, qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits
• Family building benefits, including paid maternity/paternity leave
• 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Continued professional development opportunities and educational reimbursement
• Additional perks such as fitness reimbursements and employee discount programs
• Learn more about our benefit offerings here: https://tapintowattsbenefits.com/

How we work:

At Watts, our culture is team-oriented and supportive. Employees here genuinely care about the quality of their work, and about each other. Our people are the heart of who we are and contribute to our longevity and continued success.

And this is a place where you can have a big career. No matter your role, there are opportunities for learning and development, and your daily contributions make a meaningful impact on the lives of people who use our products and on the future of water.

Watts is committed to equal employment opportunity. We follow a policy of administering all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, military or veteran status, minorities, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, Watts will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Any employee who needs a reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources.