Research Engineer III

Key Skills

Microsoft-Excel, Leadership, Design, Management, Python Programming, Data science techniques, Powerpoint, Simulation software

Job Description

The Watts Water Technologies family of companies designs and manufactures products and solutions that promote the comfort and safety of people and the quality, conservation and control of water used in commercial, residential, industrial, and municipal applications. Everything we design is made to keep the Earth’s most precious resource safer, cleaner, and more useful for our customers.

The Research & Technology Engineer III is responsible for the development of new to Watts, new to industry and new to world innovations and technologies. This role will develop new technologies by completing research and technology projects, pre commercialization products and via open innovation recommendations on University and Start-up partnerships. He/She will be responsible for project work, technology scouting, managing assigned projects and working with internal and external teams to develop or deploy new technologies.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Technology Leadership:

• Provide the necessary critical thinking to determine the approaches to get assigned research projects done. Offers good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work; can facilitate effective brainstorming; can project how potential ideas may play out in the marketplace.
• Provides relevant input to the technology strategy driving a future vison creating building blocks for future products and technologies.
• Leads assigned research projects and development of emerging technology without needing guidance from engineering management.
• Participate in continuing education activities to ensure that Watts remains state-of-the-art in terms of technologies (and the management of) for water products and services.
• Competent to lead innovation workshops internally to communicate information and generate ideas.
• Ability to conceptualize new ideas and technologies.

Governance:

• Participates in the development of the research budget: including staff, purchasing and evaluating technology, research partnerships (university and corporate), facility and equipment requirements.
• Develops investment proposals recommending how to allocate funds from the research budget.

Internal Research:

• Capable to supervise research staff on larger projects and Co-Ops for a full session.
• Completes research efforts via literature evaluation, patent reviews, calculations, simulations, testing of concepts, 3D models, building early stage proof of concept prototypes, etc. using accepted engineering practices.
• Perform project management duties on assigned research and technology projects including monthly reporting of efforts.
• Maintains organized project files and completes reports and white papers on research results.
• Participates in other research efforts as a team member or additional reviewer as required.
• Adhere to current company and department policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned by the Manager of Research & Technology.

External Research:

• Supervises or participates in open innovation with universities and start-ups as assigned, including as a team member or company representative.
• Attends external events including university presentations, start-up pitches, innovation sessions, trade shows and other opportunities to observe and interact with external technology.
• Work with suppliers and vendors to complete research efforts.

Development Liaison:

• Recommends ways to apply new technologies and solutions that will maximize their value to the organization.
• Advance the readiness of technologies (up to Technology readiness level 5) to the point at which they can be readily employed into NPD projects.
• Assist and educate personnel on new technologies and their implementation. Advise and assist the development group in the deployment of technology.

EDUCATION:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field. Advanced Technical Degrees Preferred.

MANAGEMENT:

• Co-Ops, interns or other early career employees may report to this position

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5-8 years of research or design engineering experience in the field beyond collegiate work or a related area is a plus.
• Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to identify the critical aspects of new concepts that need to be validated first.
• Have the ability to critically assess a problem in the laboratory and provide relevant feedback and/or solutions, both from a research perspective and for currently implemented testing procedures.
• Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Must be highly creative and innovative, working with a wide degree of latitude is expected.
• Strong interpersonal skills including but not limited to: problem solving, influencing, written and oral communications along with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.
• Ability to be resourceful, to act independently, where appropriate, and within budget constraints, and to recognize when higher intervention may be required.
• Must be able to interact with all levels of management.
• Must be proficient in the use personal computer tools, such as Microsoft: Word, Excel, Power Point, and Project.
• Preferred Experience with Python for analysis, plotting and simulation, electronics development platforms such as Arduino, ESP32 and Raspi, basic data science techniques and signal processing

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, talk, and/or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work in office environment.
• May occasionally be required to perform job duties within a manufacturing setting.
• 5 - 10% travel

As required by the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)

• EMPLOYEE CORE COMPETENCIES:
• Collaborate Across Workgroup
• Initiate Positive Change
• Deliver High Quality Results
• Focus on the Customer
• Develops Self & Others
• Accountability

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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.