Senior Manufacturing Engineer, New Product Engineering

Watts Water Technologies; St. Pauls (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Education reimbursement

Fitness reimbursements

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Watts Water Technologies in St. Pauls, NC is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to research, justify, and manage capital equipment purchases and lead Kaizen teams to drive efficiency and safety.

You will design machinery and fixtures, develop manufacturing methods, and support post-launch manufacturing processes. Reporting to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager, you will contribute to process control plans, quality standards, and cross-functional optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience.
• Proficiency in solid modeling and CAD software with tool/fixture design experience.
• Hands-on skills using basic mechanical tools for assembly/fabrication.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles and tools.
• Experience with injection molding and injection molding tool design.
• Experience with the new product development process via a stage-gate process.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• New Product Development: participate in NPD and ensure manufacturing deliverables are met.
• Design machinery, tools, and fixtures using 3D modeling software.
• Lead productivity projects including capital equipment purchases.
• Develop and refine manufacturing methods; contribute to cost models.
• Create process control plans and work instructions aligned with quality standards.
• Provide input for evaluating technologies and process improvements.
• Post-Launch Support: daily technical support for operations and field problem resolution.
• Apply Six Sigma to improve process capability, repeatability, and yields.
• Lead Kaizen and continuous improvement events for quality and safety.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

CAD software

3D modeling

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

SAP

Job description

About Watts

We’re Watts. Together, we’re reimagining the future of water. We feel proud every day about what we do.We're all part of the same crucial mission, no matter what function we support -- it's to provide safe, clean water for the world, and to protect our planet's most valuable resource.

What we do: For 150 years, Watts has built best-in-class products that are trusted by customers in residential and commercial settings across the world. We are at the forefront of innovation, working with cutting‑edge technology to provide smart and connected, sustainable water solutions for the future. Watts is a leading brand with a quality reputation — and we have a dynamic future ahead.

This role is onsite and is based in St. Pauls, NC.

Scope of Position

Under the guidance of the Manufacturing Engineering Manager, this individual will research, justify, and manage capital equipment purchases, lead Kaizen teams, and develop manufacturing methods that drive efficiency and safety. This position reports to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

New Product Development

• Participate in the new product development process to ensure all manufacturing engineering deliverables are met in a timely manner.
• Design machinery, tools, and fixtures using 3D solid modeling software.
• Initiate and implement productivity projects, including capital equipment purchases.
• Develop, evaluate, and refine manufacturing methods, leveraging knowledge of product design, materials, processes, and tooling.
• Assist in creating process control plans and work instructions, ensuring adherence to quality control standards.
• Evaluate best available technologies.
• Provide input (labor, materials, utilities, consumables, etc.) for use in financial models.

Post‑Launch Support

• Provide daily technical support for operations involving machining, metal fabrication, assembly, and valve testing.
• Provide necessary support to resolve any field complaints.
• Apply Six Sigma tools to improve process capability, repeatability, first‑pass yields, and conformance to quality requirements.
• Lead Kaizen and continuous improvement events to enhance quality, productivity, and safety outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience.
• Proficiency in solid modeling and CAD software, with tool and fixture design experience.
• Hands‑on skills using basic mechanical tools for assembly/fabrication tasks.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles and tools.
• Experience with injection molding and Injection molding tool design required.
• Experience with new product development process via a stage gate process required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience managing capital equipment projects from concept through implementation.
• SAP knowledge a plus.
• Knowledge of Autodesk Inventor a plus.

General Applicable Company Competencies

Commitment to Watts’ values of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement and innovation, and transparency.

Punctuality and dependability.

Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work priorities and stressful conditions.

Adherence to all personnel policies, procedures, and standards of process as implemented by Watts.

Maintain productive and collaborative relationships with other Watts employees.

Adherence to Watts’ seven cultural beliefs: Growth Mindset, Customer‑Focused Innovation, Constant Communication, Clear Goals, Collaborate Globally, Be Inclusive, and Take Action.

Working Conditions

While performing the job duties, you will be working onsite at a manufacturing facility and perform the majority of your duties in an office environment. You may, at times, be required to be present on the manufacturing floor and will be required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. You will be required to work in the office at the St Pauls location Monday – Friday. Your scheduled work hours will be communicated to you by your manager.

Physical Requirements

Specific physical abilities required for this position include, but are not limited to: Ability to remain seated at a desk or workstation for extended periods. Ability to perform repetitive tasks like typing on a keyboard or using a mouse for extended periods. Ability to physically move around the office, organize or transport files, packages, or other office‑related materials. Ability to read documents, use a computer, and perform data entry tasks. Ability to communicate clearly with management and coworkers, particularly in meetings or phone calls. Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, phones, and copiers. Ability to occasionally lift and carry light objects, such as office supplies, documents, or small equipment. Ability to wear personal protective equipment, which may include, but is not limited to, safety shoes, hearing protection, and safety glasses.

Watts in it for you

Please note that the following benefits apply only to permanent roles and do not apply to internship roles.

• Competitive compensation based on your skills, qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits.
• Family building benefits, including paid maternity/paternity leave.
• 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off.
• Continued professional development opportunities and educational reimbursement.
• Additional perks such as fitness reimbursements and employee discount programs.

Learn more about our benefit offerings here: https://tapintowattsbenefits.com/

How we work

At Watts, our culture is team‑oriented and supportive. Employees here genuinely care about the quality of their work, and about each other. Our people are the heart of who we are and contribute to our longevity and continued success. And this is a place where you can have a big career. No matter your role, there are opportunities for learning and development, and your daily contributions make a meaningful impact on the lives of people who use our products and on the future of water.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

About Watts Water

Watts Water is a global leader of quality water solutions for residential, industrial, municipal, and commercial settings. Our family of brands offers some of the most varied product lines in the world, with world‑class, water‑related solutions focused on: Drainage and Water Reuse HVAC and Hot Water Plumbing and Flow Control Water Quality and Rainwater Harvesting. We are a $1.9billion global company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with a presence in five (5) continents and twenty‑four (24) countries, and an employee population that speaks over eighteen (18) languages.

As a people‑first company, we prize enriching and caring for all who work here not only through words but through actions. This includes executing our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, and providing our employees with meaningful career growth opportunities, a positive and safe work environment, and affirmation that they are heard, valued, and respected.

We are proud to be an organization that believes that a safer world is a more sustainable world – a belief that we proudly reflect in each of our technologies and solutions and our environmental and social commitments, such as our partnership with Planet Water Foundation.

Specialties Plumbing, HVAC, Water Quality, and Gas.

Headquarters Americas & Corporate Headquarters: North Andover, Massachusetts, USA; Asia‑Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA) Headquarters: Shanghai, China.

Company Size About 5,000 employees.

Website http://www.watts.com/ http://www.wattsindustries.com/ http://www.wattsasia.com/

Industry Machinery.

Founded 1874.