Project Engineer 1 - Valves

Crane Company•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Project Engineer serves as a technical and business partner within the Product Management organization, supporting the development, enhancement, and lifecycle management of Barksdale’s valve product portfolio. The role bridges engineering, product management, sales, operations, and customers through technical expertise, product-related project management, customer application evaluation, and support for strategic growth initiatives. It combines engineering fundamentals and business acumen to identify customer needs, develop technical solutions, support product strategy, and lead cross-functional projects from concept through implementation. The position contributes to new product development, product rationalization, obsolescence management, application engineering, and customer-facing technical support. It collaborates with Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Shipping, and Sales & Marketing to achieve successful outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering (BSME/BSEE).
1–2 years of relevant experience in engineering, project management, and/or product development.
Familiarity with project management practices, new product development processes, and technical product/application development.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes, material properties, and industrial standards.
Understanding of industrial marketing, sales principles, and customer engagement.
Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Effective written and verbal communication across diverse stakeholders.
Ability to deliver clear and engaging presentations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, and Word); strong Excel skills are required.
Technical aptitude combined with sound business judgment.
Ability to travel to meet customers for training, technical discussions, and business development.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with engineering tools such as CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) or electrical design tools (Altium, MATLAB).

Responsibilities

Participate in and oversee, as needed, bill of materials (BOM) creation, product costing, and product change request (PCR) activities.
Lead smaller engineering projects from concept through completion, focusing on mechanical and electrical systems, and provide regular status updates to stakeholders.
Support product replacement and obsolescence projects as part of 80/20 initiatives.
Support the Product Management team with data analysis and market research to guide product strategy and identify growth opportunities.
Track and report progress on designated projects and activities in regular team meetings.
Gather technical requirements for new opportunities by engaging directly with customers and sales teams, including occasional on-site visits to observe applications.
Evaluate customer technical requirements in relation to Barksdale’s product offering.
Analyze product performance data to assess reliability and specification compliance.
Work with the quality team to address customer concerns and ensure resolution.
Collaborate with engineering teams on tolerance analysis, material selection, and prototype validation using CAD tools and electrical schematics.
Respond promptly and thoroughly to customer inquiries by phone and email for designated product lines.
Maintain technical knowledge of mechanical and electrical components, industrial applications, and manufacturing processes.
Translate customer specifications into mechanical and electrical design requirements and coordinate prototype testing under real-world service conditions.
Develop technical and business documentation.
Deliver technical presentations and host educational sessions focused on engineering performance and product differentiation.
Evaluate technologies and solutions for new or modified products and develop engineering concepts and recommendations for customer review.
Support product documentation requirements as needed.