Cycle Design Lead Engineer

Whirlpool • Saint Joseph, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cycle Design Lead Engineer is a key technical expert within Whirlpool’s Laundry Engineering Performance Subsystem. The role is responsible for delivering algorithms, cycles, and performance optimization while ensuring compliance with global requirements and integration with component modules for new and existing laundry products. The engineer develops, optimizes, integrates, and validates laundry appliance algorithms in collaboration with technology partners to deliver consumer-relevant product attribute performance.

This is an onsite role at Whirlpool’s St. Joseph Technology Center in Michigan. The position leads cycle design and performance strategy for residential and commercial laundry products, supports product development from concept through production, and works with cross-functional partners on product performance claims, regulatory compliance, and consumer-focused engineering requirements. The role also mentors junior engineers and advances cycle design roadmaps, including complexity reduction and cost and quality initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Computer Science Engineering.
• At least 5 years of product development experience in the appliance industry or consumer products industry, including engineering delivery for a major project launch.
• At least 5 years of experience in product performance optimization, including development, implementation, and validation of algorithms in conjunction with software and hardware process partners.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Computer Science Engineering.
• At least 10 years of product development experience in the appliance industry or relevant consumer products industry, including engineering delivery for multiple major project launches.
• Strong communication skills and proven ability to translate complex engineering trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders and tailor messages by audience.
• Proficient technical knowledge of core engineering tools and processes, including stage gate product development, Design for Safety, Systems Engineering, FMEA, problem solving, and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience leading successful initiatives with cross-functional process partners.
• Ability to mentor and coach junior engineers to support development of a technically rigorous talent pipeline.
• Operational Excellence/Six Sigma certification, including use of OpEx tools to deliver project objectives.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (e.g., DOE) and demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal regulatory process partners.
• Strong knowledge of software and software development processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of algorithms, logic, and cycle design for residential and commercial laundry products.
• Own performance attribute strategy and the Cycle Design module, collaborating with software, electronics hardware, and adjacent platform modules to optimize system performance.
• Drive deployment of Cycle Design roadmaps, including complexity reduction, attribute requirements, and cost and quality initiatives.
• Characterize critical module parameters that contribute to system-level attribute requirements and capture knowledge needed to deliver module-level excellence.
• Develop an understanding of laundry appliance physics, with a focus on thermal and fluid dynamics governing system performance.
• Drive new product design from concept through execution, including Advanced Development and Production Development projects.
• Develop multiple concepts and use FMEA, Design Verification Plans, risk management tools, and OpEx/Six Sigma methodology to make performance-attribute trade-off decisions.
• Mentor junior Cycle Design engineers in technical project delivery and competency development.
• Manage communication and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders—including product marketing, brands, legal, V&V, and labs—to develop performance attribute claims and messaging.
• Support regulatory product compliance for NAR and other countries where NAR products are marketed, collaborating with Government, Safety, and Regulatory partners.
• Translate the Voice of the Consumer into engineering product requirements to enable product leadership.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package.
• Whirlpool employee discount.
• Fitness and educational reimbursement programs.
• Kitchenettes.
• Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations offer recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking and walking trails, and access to The Eddy Early Childhood Center, depending on availability and for additional cost.
• Always On Flexibility to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments.
• Two weeks of work from anywhere per year, in minimum one-week increments.
• Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after every five years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior