Engineering NPD Manager, Water Safety

Watts Water•North Andover, MA

30d•$168,000 - $179,000•Hybrid

About The Position

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. Watts Water Technologies designs and manufactures products and solutions that promote the safety, efficiency, and control of water across commercial, residential, industrial, and municipal applications. Our mission is to ensure the Earth’s most precious resources remain safer, cleaner, and more useful for our customers. The Engineering NPD Manager, Water Safety is a highly technical leader responsible for driving new product innovation with a deep focus on mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, and pressure-balancing valve design. This role requires mastery of advanced engineering analysis tools, strong system engineering capabilities, and the ability to lead complex programs from concept through launch. This position partners closely with Product Management and leads a cross-functional engineering team including Design Engineers, CAD Resources, and Pilot Manufacturing to deliver NPD programs on time, on budget, and at exceptional technical quality. The ideal candidate is a flexible, hands‑on leader who thrives in a dynamic environment with shifting customer and business priorities. This position reports to the Director of Engineering and is based in our North Andover, MA office.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required, Master’s degree preferred.
10+ years of product development experience, preferably in fluid-handling or valve applications.
Proven engineering project/program management experience, with the ability to independently manage cross‑functional projects and processes beyond immediate responsibilities.
Proficient knowledge in the use of 3D CAD solid modeling software, Auto Desk Inventor preferred.
Experience with cost estimations, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA) approaches, and program accounting.
Strong interpersonal communication skills for interaction with various engineering teams, suppliers, customers, regulatory personnel, and management.
Ability to manage projects or processes that span outside of immediate responsibilities and work independently with little supervision in an effective manner.
Comprehensive verbal, written, and presentation skills, capable of interacting with various levels of management.
Demonstrates flexibility in work assignments to effectively meet the team's needs.
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft 365 Applications.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience collaborating with overseas development teams and manufacturing partners, as well as familiarity with copper alloy and iron casting/forging, plastics, and plastic molding for water systems, is a plus.
Practical experience and knowledge of compliance, test standards, and third-party certification requirements.
Prior experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead full‑lifecycle project execution including planning, risk assessment, team formation, milestones, reporting, and escalation, while managing NPD schedules, budgets, and deliverables from concept through pilot builds and driving effective program meetings, accountability, and action‑item closure.
Communicate effectively across all business levels; technical and non-technical, tailoring complexity to audience needs.
Influence and motivate teams through empathy, credibility, and collaborative leadership.
Support Product Management through Stage‑Gate, recommending technical value propositions and balancing customer requirements with engineering constraints to define optimal solutions.
Partner cross-functionally with Product Management, Sourcing, Operations, Finance, and Manufacturing to achieve program objectives.
Integrate mechanical, electrical, and software elements into cohesive product‑level designs and benchmark new concepts against legacy designs.
Approve engineering deliverables; specs, drawings, material requirements, DFMEAs/PFMEAs, and verification reports, while organizing and documenting all analytical and experimental results.
Proficient in CFD for flow modeling, pressure‑drop analysis, cavitation prediction, and valve optimization, with the ability to interpret, challenge, and generate simulations that correlate with test data.
Expert in force‑balance calculations and sealing technologies, including O‑rings, bellows, diaphragms, and compatibility and failure modes across temperature, chemical, and pressure ranges.
Coach junior engineers in advanced mechanical and fluid‑dynamic principles and translate tribal knowledge into clear, teachable engineering practices.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
All other duties as required.