Senior Product Development Engineer, Valves

FLSmidth•Tucson, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Product Development Engineer is responsible for leading the design, development, validation, and lifecycle management of mining valve products and associated flow-control solutions. This role drives innovation, product performance, reliability improvements, cost optimization, and standardization initiatives while working closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, Service, and customers. The position plays a key role in developing next-generation valve technologies that strengthen market competitiveness and support strategic growth objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
10+ years of experience in product development, mechanical engineering, or valve design.
Demonstrated experience with control valves, slurry valves, knife gate valves, butterfly valves, check valves, or severe-service applications
Strong working knowledge of industrial signals and communication protocols, such as discrete I/O, 4–20 mA, HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus/PROFINET, Modbus, and EtherNet/IP.
Demonstrated expertise in the selection, sizing, and application of pneumatic, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, and electric valve actuation systems for demanding industrial applications.
Strong working knowledge of valve automation accessories, including solenoid valves, limit switches, position transmitters, positioners, control panels, and open/closed position-feedback systems.
Proven success delivering new products from concept through market introduction.
Experience working in mining, process industries
Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, stage-gate development processes, and design-for-manufacturing principles.
Proven project leadership and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Strategic thinking and product vision.
Strong customer focus and commercial awareness.
Ability to influence across global, cross-functional teams.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Continuous improvement and innovation mindset.

Nice To Haves

CATIA, SolidWorks preferred
Product Lifecycle Management Systems
Root Cause Analysis
Reliability Engineering
Value Engineering
Project Management

Responsibilities

Lead valve development projects from concept through commercialization and market launch.
Design and develop valve assemblies, components, actuators, trim designs, sealing systems, and related flow-control equipment.
Conduct engineering analyses including flow calculations, pressure containment, structural integrity, fatigue, wear, and material compatibility assessments.
Drive product improvements focused on performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness.
Conduct engineering calculations, design verification, FEA analysis, and technical evaluations.
Develop scalable and standardized product platforms to improve operational efficiency and portfolio competitiveness.
Support technology roadmaps and long-term product strategies.
Lead cross-functional collaboration with Product Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Service, and Manufacturing teams.
Support engineering change management, product lifecycle management, standardization, and portfolio optimization.
Participate in root cause analysis, field performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure compliance with industry standards and company engineering procedures.
Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials.
Perform tolerance analysis, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and value engineering activities.
Lead design reviews and technical risk assessments.
Utilize FEA, CFD, and other simulation tools to validate product performance.
Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards including API, ASME, ISO, PED, and customer specifications.
Manage engineering changes, product upgrades, obsolescence plans, and sustaining engineering activities.
Support root cause investigations and corrective actions for field issues.
Drive continuous improvement programs focused on quality, reliability, and cost reduction.
Maintain technical documentation and design standards throughout the product lifecycle.
Collaborate closely with Product Managers on market requirements and business cases.
Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to ensure successful product industrialization.
Provide technical leadership during customer reviews, supplier evaluations, and commercialization activities.
Support sales and service organizations with technical expertise and product training.