Sr. Product Development Engineer - Coatings

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule after 90 days and works in our Florence, Kentucky plant.

Performs advanced engineering tasks with no direct supervision. Lead mentor to the engineering design team in development projects throughout the entire cycle from initial concept through successful completion. 

Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

•   Lead projects regarding the design and development of new product manufacturing, from lab scale to pilot scale and into full production scale.
•  Lead projects regarding the design and development of quality tests and methods, including advanced material characterization.
•  Lead projects in product application and process improvement following PDCA cycle.
•  Identify projects of value to the company and communicate details to the development group.
•  Develop, write and review work instructions and procedures. Lead communication and training initiatives.
• Lead projects regarding the use of alternative raw material sources, quality assessment projects from other AO Smith plants and similar projects relating to optimizing quality and manufacturing. 
•  Conduct project meetings and prepare reports to communicate the status of the project within and beyond the project team. 

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with others on writing patents, papers, or trade secrets.
• Ability to mentor/coach lab technicians
• Assist in regulatory control and reporting, safety initiatives and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist in all aspects of management system compliance (such as ISO9001, ISO14001) 
• Assist in manufacturing process improvements where needed, especially in regard to impact of quality 

Qualifications

• A minimum BS degree in ceramic engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or closely related field is required
• 5+ yrs experience in coatings and materials, engineering and/or product development.
• Intermediate/advanced skills with Excel are required; other MS Office applications strongly recommended.
• Minitab and SAP experience is a plus.
• Supervisory experience strongly recommended 

Education

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.