New Product Development Engineer for Reciprocating Compression

Waukesha Bearings Corporation; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Product Development Engineer at Waukesha Bearings Corporation will design, execute, and validate advanced components for rotating and reciprocating machinery, bridging theory and physical performance through data acquisition and testing.

You will lead tests on packings, valves, and bearings, develop LabVIEW-based data flows, and collaborate across mechanical design teams to translate simulations into real-world performance improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Mechatronics.
• 3+ years in an NPD, R&D, or test lab environment focusing on heavy industrial machinery.
• Experience with high-pressure gas loops and high-rotational-speed equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and validate components for rotating and reciprocating machinery.
• Develop test protocols for packings, valves, and bearing assemblies.
• Integrate sensors and LabVIEW architectures for real-time data collection.
• Collaborate with design engineers to translate simulations into physical tests.

Skills

LabVIEW programming

National Instruments hardware

Data Acquisition (DAQ)

Sensor calibration

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Mechatronics

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

Job Summary:

We are seeking a New Product Development (NPD) Engineer to design, execute, and validate critical components for rotating and reciprocating machinery. This role focuses on the experimental validation of advanced packings, valves, and bearings. You will bridge the gap between theoretical mechanical design and physical performance using advanced data acquisition tools.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Development

• Active participation in all phases of technology and new product development projects; including ideation, research, concept development, product design, testing, validation and launch activities
• Follow market trends, newer technologies and competitor activities to initiate ideas in a proactive manner.
• Collaborate with other engineers, scientists and other research partners to develop innovative new products and accelerate the development cycles.

Component Testing & Validation

• Design custom test rigs for sealing systems (pressure packings, piston and rod rings), valves, and bearing assemblies.
• Develop rigorous test protocols simulating real-world compressor and turbomachinery environments.
• Execute mechanical stress, thermal, dynamic, and leakage testing on prototype components.
• Analyze failed components using root-cause analysis to drive iterative design improvements.

Instrumentation & Data Acquisition

• Integrate sensors (pressure, temperature, vibration, flow, proximity) into experimental setups.
• Develop LabVIEW architectures for real-time automated data collection and hardware control.
• Process raw test data into structured engineering reports with actionable design recommendations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with design engineers to translate simulation data (FEA/CFD) into physical testing.
• Work alongside laboratory technicians to ensure safe and efficient setup of high-pressure/high-speed test cells.

Required Technical Skills:

Core Machinery Domain

• Reciprocating Compressors: Deep understanding of the work principles, system-level design and maintenance considerations for reciprocating compressors; in addition to component-level knowledge around sealing systems (pressure packing cases, piston and rod rings, static seal systems),, and valves, lubrication, cooling and venting auxiliaries Previous hands-on experience on compressors highly preferred.
• Turbomachinery: Familiarity with high-speed fluid film bearings, magnetic bearings, and dry gas seals highly preferred.
• Tribology: Strong grasp of friction, wear, and lubrication mechanisms in sealing interfaces, strong familiarity with materials used in critical components of heavy machinery Familiarity with materials testing and hands-on materials lab experience highly preferred.

Systems & Software:

• Data Acquisition (DAQ): Advanced proficiency in National Instruments (NI) hardware and LabVIEW programming.
• Instrumentation: Hands-on experience calibrating and troubleshooting industrial sensors. Previous experience on design and construction of control systems, including electronics, sensors and programming highly desirable.
• CAD/CAE: Ability to generate designs and manufacturing drawings with SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or similar, and demonstrated experience for test fixture design.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Mechatronics. Graduate degrees with relevant research topics highly desirable.
• Experience: 3+ years in an NPD, R&D, or test lab environment focusing on heavy industrial machinery.
• Safety: Experience working around high-pressure gas loops and high-rotational-speed equipment.