Senior Innovation Engineer - Smart Cooking Systems

Midea America; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Midea America Corp. in North America seeks a Senior Innovation Engineer to drive disruptive technologies for major cooking appliances, including ranges, wall ovens, and smart cooking systems.

You will identify consumer needs, market trends, and opportunities to shape product concepts from ideation through commercialization. Lead cross-functional teams with Product Management, Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing; mentor junior engineers; perform DFMEA, tolerance analysis, and prototyping;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electromechanical, Product Design Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in full product/innovation concept development (ideation to mass production).
• Strong knowledge of gas and electric cooking appliance technologies, IoT and AI-enabled features and smart home technologies.
• Hands-on experience with prototype development, laboratory testing, and performance validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of innovative technologies, systems, and product concepts for major cooking appliances (ranges, wall ovens, induction, advanced convection, steam, air fry, smart appliances).
• Identify unmet consumer needs, market trends, and opportunities through research and benchmarking.
• Create and evaluate prototypes and functional models to validate feasibility and consumer acceptance.
• Lead projects from ideation to commercialization, integrating new tech into roadmaps.
• Perform system architecture development, DFMEA, risk assessments, and design optimization.
• Collaborate with suppliers and universities to identify emerging technologies and partnerships.
• Conduct teardowns and benchmarking to identify differentiation and cost opportunities.
• Develop invention disclosures and support patent filings; mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Prototype development

Cross-functional leadership

Engineering design

IoT features

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electromechanical, Product Design Engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

3D CAD software

Engineering simulations

Job description

Midea America Corp. in North America seeks a Senior Innovation Engineer to drive disruptive technologies for major cooking appliances, including ranges, wall ovens, and smart cooking systems.

You will identify consumer needs, market trends, and opportunities to shape product concepts from ideation through commercialization. Lead cross-functional teams with Product Management, Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing; mentor junior engineers; perform DFMEA, tolerance analysis, and prototyping;