We are seeking a Principal Design Engineer to support advanced development and strategic engineering projects across our Air and Water product portfolio, with an initial emphasis on heat pump water heating and related high-efficiency technologies. This role will define product concepts, evaluate new technologies, and guide complex projects from early development through readiness for production in coordination with strategic partners. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical judgment with the ability to coordinate design work across engineering, manufacturing, strategic partners, and suppliers.
PositionPrincipal Design Engineer - Advanced Development & Strategic Projects
LocationUSA, Louisville, KY
How You'll Create PossibilitiesEssential Responsibilities: - Lead advanced development and strategic engineering projects for new products, technologies, and product platforms with initial focus on heat pump water heating and related high-efficiency technologies.
- Translate business, customer, and regulatory needs into product requirements, technical plans, and development priorities.
- Define system architectures and lead tradeoff decisions involving performance, cost, quality, reliability, schedule, and customer experience.
- Coordinate design development with strategic partners and suppliers, including responsibilities, milestones, deliverables, reviews, and acceptance criteria.
- Lead joint technical reviews, resolve design issues, and maintain alignment between internal and partner engineering teams.
- Work closely with manufacturing to make design decisions that support manufacturability, assembly, quality, capacity, cost, and launch readiness.
- Engage manufacturing early in development and incorporate factory feedback into product architecture, component design, tolerances, and production processes.
- Lead prototype builds, technical evaluations, testing, and design verification activities.
- Analyze test and production data, identify risks, and drive practical design improvements and corrective actions.
- Collaborate with product management, program management, sourcing, quality, service, controls, electronics, and regulatory teams.
- Assess emerging technologies, components, materials, and manufacturing approaches for future products.
- Transition advanced-development concepts into formal new product introduction programs with clear requirements, risks, and technical readiness.
- Communicate technical decisions, partner performance, project risks, and recommendations to engineering and business leadership.
What You'll Bring to Our TeamMinimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- 7+ years of experience in product design, systems engineering, advanced development, or related engineered-product development
- Experience leading complex product or technology development from concept through validation and production readiness
- Strong understanding of mechanical design, system integration, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid systems, or related engineering fundamentals
- Experience coordinating technical work with manufacturing, suppliers, or external development partners
- Ability to make balanced design decisions considering performance, manufacturability, cost, quality, reliability, and timing
- Experience with prototyping, testing, data analysis, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions
- Ability to lead through influence and align cross-functional teams without direct authority
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communication with technical and business leadership
- Ability to manage multiple strategic workstreams in an environment with changing priorities and technical uncertainty
Preferred Qualifications: - Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related discipline
- Experience with heat pump water heaters, HVAC, refrigeration, water heating, appliances or other energy-efficient products
- Experience developing products jointly with global suppliers, strategic partners, research organizations, or universities
- Experience working with manufacturing teams on design for assembly, process capability, pilot builds, and production launches
- Experience developing technology roadmaps and transitioning advanced concepts into production programs
- Familiarity with product safety, energy-efficiency, regulatory, and certification requirements
- Experience mentoring engineers, developing intellectual property, or serving as a technical authority
