Manager Mechanical Engineering

Badger Meter•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

At Badger Meter, we're more than a leading global water technology company - we're innovators with a mission: to preserve and protect the world's most precious resource. For over 120 years, our trusted solutions have enabled our customers to optimize the delivery and use of water, maximize revenue and reduce waste. Every employee at Badger Meter is an important part of our success. Here, your work doesn't just move a business forward - it shapes a more sustainable future. We are committed to building a workplace where we celebrate differences, empower voices, and encourage fresh ideas that drive innovation. When you join us, you'll find: Purpose-driven work that makes a real difference in communities around the globe. Career growth and development opportunities designed to help you achieve your potential. A supportive, inclusive culture where collaboration and creativity thrive. Be part of something bigger. At Badger Meter, your contributions will ripple far beyond the workplace - creating lasting change for people and the planet. Position Summary The Manager of Mechanical Engineering leads a team of mechanical engineers responsible for the design, development, and technical execution of Badger Meter’s product portfolio. This is a front-line engineering management role — part people leader, part technical owner — responsible for translating project and product priorities into high-quality engineering outcomes. The Manager ensures that the mechanical engineering team delivers rigorous, compliant, and manufacturable designs across the full product development lifecycle. This role works closely with Mechanical Design (CAD/PLM), Advanced Development, Electrical & Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing Engineering, and Regulatory Compliance to ensure that mechanical engineering contributions are integrated seamlessly into cross-functional programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline required; Master’s degree preferred.
7+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in a product development environment, with demonstrated depth in mechanical design, analysis, or related disciplines.
2+ years of engineering leadership experience, including supervisory or team lead responsibility for individual contributor engineers.
Strong working knowledge of mechanical design principles, GD&T, and CAD tools (e.g., CREO or equivalent).
Proficiency with PLM/PDM systems for managing drawings, BOMs, and engineering change processes.
Working knowledge of DFM and DFA principles and their application in a manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with water industry regulatory standards including NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372, AWWA standards, and ISO 4064.
Understanding of materials as they relate to wetted components, lead-free brass alloys, and potable water contact requirements.
Experience with FMEA, design reviews, tolerance analysis, and root cause analysis methodologies.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Project required.
Leading Teams: Using appropriate methods and interpersonal styles to develop, motivate, and guide a team of individual contributors to attain successful outcomes; providing clear direction, consistent feedback, and meaningful recognition.
Technical Ownership: Maintaining strong command of mechanical engineering principles — including design, analysis, GD&T, and materials — to credibly direct, review, and elevate the work of the team.
Driving Execution: Translating project priorities and technical requirements into clear individual work assignments; tracking progress, removing obstacles, and ensuring commitments are met.
Inspiring Excellence: Driving high engineering standards; tenaciously working to deliver rigorous, accurate, and manufacturable designs; defining success by quality outcomes and continuous improvement.
Regulatory Awareness: Understanding the water industry regulatory landscape — including NSF, AWWA, ISO, and evolving contaminant standards — and ensuring compliance considerations are embedded in design and material decisions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Building effective working relationships with Mechanical Design, Advanced Development, Electrical & Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Project Management, and Operations to deliver integrated product outcomes.
Developing Others: Identifying individual strengths and development opportunities; providing coaching and growth experiences that build team capability and career progression.
Operational Decision Making: Securing and comparing information from multiple sources to identify issues; committing to sound technical decisions after weighing alternatives against key engineering, quality, and schedule criteria.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience in flow measurement, fluid handling, water infrastructure, or instrumentation industries preferred.
Demonstrated experience taking mechanical designs through the full product development lifecycle, including manufacturing transition.
Experience working in regulated product environments with familiarity with water industry standards and certification processes preferred.
Experience with ERP platforms (IFS, SAP, or similar) in a product development context preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of mechanical engineer individual contributors; establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and ensure each team member has the tools and direction needed to succeed.
Translate product development priorities, project scopes, and technical requirements into clear individual work assignments; track progress and remove obstacles to keep the team moving.
Serve as the technical owner for mechanical engineering design work across the assigned product portfolio; review and approve engineering designs, drawings, and analyses to ensure accuracy, compliance, and sound engineering judgment.
Drive adherence to design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for automation (DFA) principles; ensure that mechanical designs are developed with a clear line of sight to production, assembly, automation, and testability requirements.
Ensure that applicable water industry standards and regulations — including NSF/ANSI 61 (potable water contact materials), NSF/ANSI 372 (lead-free), AWWA C-series standards, and ISO 4064 — are understood and applied by the team in all design and material selection decisions.
Direct and review the application of computational simulation methods — including finite element analysis (FEA) and mathematical/analytical modeling — to validate design decisions, de-risk development, and reduce physical prototype iterations; collaborate with other design teams on programs requiring computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, ensuring effective handoff of boundary conditions, geometry, and results interpretation
Partner with the Manager of Mechanical Design to ensure that engineering intent is accurately captured in CAD models, drawings, and PLM documentation; resolve interface issues between engineering and design functions in a timely manner.
Collaborate with Electrical & Systems Engineering and Software Engineering counterparts to define mechanical-electronic interface requirements and ensure effective integration of subsystems across NPD programs.
Work with Project Managers to accurately represent mechanical engineering resource needs; proactively flag conflicts, risks, and schedule pressures across the project portfolio.
Apply and champion engineering rigor across the team: design reviews, FMEA, tolerance analysis, Design Validation Plans, and lessons-learned processes should be standard practice, not exceptions.
Support new product introduction by ensuring that mechanical engineering deliverables — drawings, BOMs, specifications, and test protocols — are complete and accurate at each development gate.
Participate in hiring, onboarding, and development of mechanical engineering staff; conduct regular performance reviews, set annual goals, and identify growth opportunities for team members.
Maintain awareness of relevant developments in materials science, simulation tools, and mechanical engineering practices; recommend improvements to team tools, standards, and methods.
Ensure safekeeping and confidentiality of all design concepts and engineering work; consult with patent counsel as appropriate to protect the company’s intellectual property.
Create a positive work environment built on trust, feedback, collaboration, and mutual respect.
Additional projects, tasks, and/or assignments as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive Pay
Annual Bonus
Eligible for Annual Pay Increases
Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Coverage
15 days Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
Two Ways to Save for Retirement: Badger Meter contributes 25 cents for every dollar you contribute to the plan, up to 7% of your eligible compensation. In addition to the match, the company will also contribute 5% of your eligible compensation to your Defined Contribution account on an annual basis. Additional access to a certified financial planner to help ensure your money is working for you, at no cost!
Employer Paid benefits including: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Basic Group Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and more
Educational Assistance – Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250
Voluntary benefits including: Additional Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness coverage
Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options