Sr Innovation Engineer - Microwaves and OTR Appliances

Midea America; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Midea America Corp. is seeking a Senior Innovation Engineer to identify unmet consumer needs and lead development of next-generation microwave cooking solutions for the North American market.

You will drive product differentiation across OTRs, CMOs, and emerging cooking platforms, translating insights into viable products and IP. You will oversee concept ideation, technology evaluation, and prototype development toward commercialization, acting as a technical expert in microwave systems,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Product Management, Product Development, Data Analytics, Marketing, or a related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in product planning, product management, product development, engineering, innovation management, or portfolio management preferably within the cooking appliance industry.
• Proven experience developing product roadmaps, portfolio strategies, business cases, product requirements, and commercialization plans.
• Experience leveraging data analytics, business intelligence, AI-enabled insights, market research, consumer analytics, and competitive intelligence to support innovation.
• Proficiency with BI and analytics tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python; machine learning and forecasting experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop breakthrough product concepts, user experiences, and technology roadmaps to support future product platforms.
• Conduct consumer research, benchmarking, technology scouting, and trend analysis to identify opportunities for differentiation.
• Lead design and optimization of OTR ventilation systems, including airflow, filtration, noise reduction, and venting solutions.
• Evaluate airflow, acoustic, thermal, and cooking-effluent performance to improve ventilation and user experience.
• Design microwave subsystems, including cavities, inverters, high-voltage systems, controls, and interfaces.
• Create and protect innovative technologies and IP; develop invention disclosures and support patent filings.
• Collaborate with external technology providers, startups, universities, and suppliers for opportunities and collaborations.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams.
• Support travel to collaborate with overseas R&D centers, suppliers, and manufacturing facilities.

Skills

Data analytics

AI-enabled insights

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Python

Job description

Midea America Corp., is one of the world’s largest home appliance brands, offering the most comprehensive selection of products in the world to fully serve the needs of day-to-day living at home, at work, or anywhere else you go. In North America we strive to aim high, put the customer first, transform and innovate the marketplace, utilizing our commitment, dedication, inclusion, and partnership with our teams. Midea America is a subsidiary of the Midea Group, a global company with over 150,000 employees and operations in more than 195 countries. As a publicly listed company, we are ranked #231 as a Fortune Global 500 company and offer one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry.

Job Summary

The Senior Innovation Engineer is a key member of the Front-End Innovation and Product Development organization, responsible for identifying unmet consumer needs, incubating innovative technologies, and leading the development of next-generation microwave cooking solutions for the North American market.

This role combines disruptive innovation, advanced engineering research, and product development activities to drive product differentiation across Over-the-Range Microwave Ovens (OTRs), Countertop Microwave Ovens (CMOs), combination ovens and emerging cooking platforms.

The position focuses on translating consumer insights, market trends, competitive benchmarking, and emerging technologies into commercially viable products, features, and intellectual property that strengthen Midea's market leadership.

The successful candidate will lead innovation initiatives from concept ideation, technology evaluation, and prototype development through commercialization, while serving as a technical expert in microwave cooking systems, ventilation systems, connectivity, and user experience.

• Develop breakthrough product concepts, user experiences, and technology roadmaps that support future product platforms and strategic business growth.
• Conduct consumer research, competitive benchmarking, technology scouting, and trend analysis to identify opportunities for product differentiation and innovation.
• Lead the design, validation, and optimization of OTR ventilation systems, including blower configurations, airflow management, grease filtration, noise reduction, air recirculation, and outside venting solutions.
• Conduct airflow, acoustic, thermal, smoke-capture, and cooking-effluent performance evaluations to improve ventilation effectiveness and user experience.
• Design and develop microwave subsystems, including cavity systems, inverter technologies, high-voltage systems, controls, electronics, ventilation systems, and user interfaces.
• Lead the creation, evaluation, documentation, and protection of innovative technologies, product concepts, and intellectual property; develop invention disclosures, support patent filings, and build a robust patent portfolio that strengthens the company's competitive position.
• Partner with external technology providers, startups, universities, and suppliers to evaluate emerging technology opportunities and strategic collaborations.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across cross-functional project teams to accelerate innovation and product development effectiveness.
• Support domestic and international travel to collaborate with overseas R&D centers, suppliers, manufacturing facilities, attend trade shows, and consumer research activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Product Management, Product Development, Data Analytics, Marketing, or a related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in product planning, product management, product development, engineering, innovation management, or portfolio management preferably within the cooking appliance industry.
• Proven experience developing product roadmaps, portfolio strategies, business cases, product requirements, and commercialization plans, translating consumer insights and market opportunities into successful products.
• Experience leveraging data analytics, business intelligence, AI-enabled insights, market research, consumer analytics, Voice of Customer Data, and competitive intelligence to support innovation and strategic decision-making.
• Proficiency with business intelligence, data visualization, and analytical tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python, and AI-assisted analytics; experience with machine learning, predictive modeling and forecasting.
• Familiarity with North American appliance regulations, codes, and certification standards, including UL, CSA, ANSI, DOE, ENERGY STAR®, and other applicable safety, performance, energy efficiency, and compliance requirements, is preferred.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical and business concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across engineering, marketing, sales, sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and executive leadership teams.
• Experience working with global product development teams, international suppliers, and manufacturing organizations in a multicultural environment.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.