Project Engineer - Product Engineering

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.

The Project Engineer is responsible for managing and executing moderate-scope engineering development and product support projects within Product Engineering. This role owns one or more production lines and supports products throughout their lifecycle, from development and validation through production sustainment. The incumbent applies sound engineering judgment, coordinates cross-functional activities, and ensures products meet company, customer, regulatory, and quality requirements.

The Project Engineer plans, coordinates, and completes engineering assignments involving mechanical, thermal, electromechanical, and combustion-based hydronic systems. The role operates with limited supervision, owns defined project deliverables, and may lead sub-projects or full projects of moderate complexity. The Project Engineer works closely with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, marketing, and internal certification resources to drive successful execution.

This role supports both traditional combustion-based hydronic products and emerging technologies, with a strong working knowledge of combustion fundamentals considered critical to success.

• Own and execute moderate-scope engineering projects from initial concept through implementation, ensuring projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Serve as engineering owner for one or more production lines, providing ongoing technical support for design, quality, cost, and manufacturing issues.
• Develop project plans, define technical requirements, identify risks, and coordinate resources required to meet project objectives.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, marketing, and internal certification teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Apply engineering principles to design, analyze, and improve combustion-based hydronic systems, while supporting heat pump or alternative technologies as needed.
• Prepare and review engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Support internal certification and regulatory teams by preparing technical documentation, supporting testing activities, and resolving compliance-related engineering issues.
• Develop and execute test plans; analyze test data; identify root causes of failures; and implement corrective actions.
• Identify and resolve technical problems related to product performance, reliability, manufacturability, or field issues.
• Evaluate and implement design changes, ensuring proper change control and documentation.
• Provide technical guidance and informal mentoring to less experienced engineers and contribute to the development of engineering best practices.
• Analyze costs and support cost-reduction initiatives without compromising product performance or compliance.
• Prepare and present project status updates, technical findings, and recommendations to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support customer issues, field investigations, and product introductions as needed.
• Occasional travel to manufacturing sites, labs, or other facilities to support engineering activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of related engineering experience in product development, manufacturing support, or systems engineering.
• Strong working knowledge of combustion principles and hydronic systems; direct combustion experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting production products and resolving manufacturing or field-related issues.
• Proficiency with standard engineering tools and software (e.g., SolidWorks or similar CAD, Excel, test and analysis tools).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Qualifications:

• MS degree, 6-sigma and FMEA experience is a plus
• Experience working in regulated product environments (UL, CSA, AHRI, etc.) through internal certification processes.
• Familiarity with design verification testing, FMEA, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Exposure to heat pump or alternative heating technologies is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and balance project and production support responsibilities.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines and influencing without direct authority.

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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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.