Lab Engineer — Testing & Validation for Water Heating

A. O. Smith Corporation; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Company-sponsored life insurance

Retirement savings plan

Disability insurance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

A. O. Smith Corporation in Milwaukee, WI, is seeking a Lab Engineer to lead the design, validation, and improvement of residential and commercial water heating products. You will design tests, install instrumentation, and analyze data to assess performance, reliability, and safety.

This hands-on role requires mechanical aptitude, the ability to troubleshoot equipment, and collaboration with project engineers to advance prototype development and certification activities.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related engineering discipline.
• 1-2 years of engineering laboratory, product testing, HVAC, water heating, or related experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on problem‑solving skills.
• Experience working with instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and test procedures.
• Experience with workshop tools, fabrication equipment, and laboratory hardware.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Perform appropriate laboratory administrative tasks (i.e. enforcement of lab safety/rules, 5S, etc.).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating within cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan, set up, and execute lab testing of residential and commercial water heaters and related systems.
• Instrument products with thermocouples, pressure transducers, flow meters, power analyzers, and other sensors.
• Develop test procedures and protocols to support engineering investigations and product validation.
• Operate and monitor test systems while ensuring adherence to established test methods and safety requirements.
• Conduct performance, reliability, durability, environmental, and compliance testing.
• Make detailed observations during testing and communicate effectively with engineering teams.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, and modify test fixtures, plumbing systems, and experimental apparatus.
• Specify, install, calibrate, and maintain instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, controls, and laboratory equipment issues.
• Support laboratory modernization initiatives and continuous improvement of testing capabilities.
• Maintain calibration records and ensure proper operation of test equipment.
• Configure data acquisition systems and collect test data.
• Analyze results using Excel, data acquisition software, and engineering tools.Create charts, summaries, technical reports, and engineering documentation.
• Assist engineers in identifying root causes of product performance or reliability issues.
• Maintain accurate and organized test records and laboratory documentation.
• Collaborate with design engineers during prototype development and evaluation.
• Participate in design reviews and provide hands-on feedback
• Build, modify, and evaluate prototype products and subsystems.
• Support competitive benchmarking and product teardown activities.
• Promote a strong laboratory safety culture and ensure compliance with company safety procedures.
• Support 5S and laboratory organization initiatives.
• Maintain laboratory consumables, tools, and equipment inventories.
• Assist with training and mentoring engineering co-ops, interns, and new laboratory personnel.
• Support certification, regulatory, and compliance testing activities as needed.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Hands-on problem solving

Instrumentation experience

Data acquisition systems

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

LabVIEW

NI data acquisition systems

SolidWorks

Job description

A. O. Smith Corporation in Milwaukee, WI, is seeking a Lab Engineer to lead the design, validation, and improvement of residential and commercial water heating products. You will design tests, install instrumentation, and analyze data to assess performance, reliability, and safety.

This hands-on role requires mechanical aptitude, the ability to troubleshoot equipment, and collaboration with project engineers to advance prototype development and certification activities.