Research and Development Engineer

Kadant Inc.; Three Rivers (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Kadant Johnson in Three Rivers, Michigan is seeking a results-driven R&D engineer to join our development team. You will evaluate product concepts, manage projects from discovery to implementation, and collaborate across engineering, operations, sales, and other cross-functional groups to move innovations toward commercial deployment.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in engineering, hands-on industrial environment experience, and a demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology is required.
• Experience with industrial environments and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to travel as needed for customer visits, field support, and supplier engagement.

Responsibilities

• Project management from discovery to commercial implementation.
• Drive innovation and generate product opportunities.
• Specify, design and implement industrial process controls.
• Design and carry out proof of concept testing for fluid control equipment.
• Assist in creating and maintaining R&D test machines and their controls.
• Facilitate presentations, seminars, and meetings.

Skills

3-D modeling

FEA

CFD

Industrial control

PLC

VFD

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or engineering technology

Tools

Solidworks

OPTO 22

Rockwell

AB

Job description

Overview

Kadant Johnson is seeking a results-driven, hands-on professional to join our Research and Development Team at our Three Rivers, Michigan facility. This position will support the research, development, testing, and project management of new fluid control products and technologies serving a variety of process industries. The role will involve working closely with engineering, operations, sales, and other cross-functional teams to evaluate product concepts, solve technical challenges, and help bring innovative solutions from development through commercial implementation.

Responsibilities

• Project management execution from discovery to commercial implementation
• Drive innovation and generate product opportunities
• Specifying, designing and implementing industrial process controls
• Ability to design and carry out proof of concept testing for fluid control equipment
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of R&D test machines and their controls to support product testing.
• Facilitate presentations, seminars, and meetings as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or engineering technology
• Ability to work in industrial environments
• Travel required on an as-needed basis based upon company needs, including customer visits, field support, supplier engagement, training, or other business-related activities

Desirable Experience/Knowledge

• 3-D modeling FEA and CFD (preferred Solidworks)
• Industrial control (PLC, VFD, I/O, process instrumentation, etc.)
• Control Logic (OPTO 22, Rockwell, AB, etc.)
• Steam and Condensate systems
• Fluid seal design (mechanical and elastomeric)
• Mechanical aptitude

The successful candidate will be able to work independently while effectively planning, prioritizing, and executing multiple projects and day-to-day responsibilities. This individual must demonstrate sound technical judgment, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to develop practical, innovative solutions that support product development and continuous improvement initiatives. The candidate should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and comfortable collaborating with cross-functional teams, vendors, customers, and other internal stakeholders as needed.