Senior Product Development Engineer

Watlow Recruitment Team • Hillsboro, OR

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Product Development Engineer - 3D Knitting is responsible for leading product development efforts using advanced 3D knitting technology to create next-generation heater products. This role is based at Watlow's Portland Technology Development Center in Hillsboro, Oregon, and reports to the Site Leader, Portland TDC. The Senior Product Development Engineer will apply deep textile manufacturing expertise to design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize industrial knitting processes while partnering with product development teams in St. Louis, Querétaro, Mexico, and other global locations. This position plays a key role in translating complex 3D shapes into effective knitting patterns and supporting the rollout of new textile manufacturing applications across Watlow.

Requirements

• Ability to work creatively within a high-pressure, fast-paced environment to adapt and optimize knitting technology for unique product applications.
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across departments and locations.
• Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems, troubleshoot process issues, and support product development in a manufacturing environment.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in advanced knitting with a proven background in textile manufacturing.
• Experience in technical textiles or manufacturing industries.
• Proven experience programming, operating, and troubleshooting 3D knitting machines.
• Solid understanding of industrial knitting processes and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, programming, and development of textiles using advanced 3D knitting techniques to manufacture complex heaters.
• Apply 3D knitting technology to support next-generation heater product development and new textile manufacturing applications.
• Work closely with product development teams located in St. Louis, Mexico, and other global sites to achieve project goals and ensure alignment across teams.
• Troubleshoot issues related to knitting machine performance and textile output to support quality standards and efficient operation.
• Address unique challenges in adapting knitting technology to new applications, including translating complex 3D shapes into effective knitting patterns.
• Support simultaneous product development efforts across multiple locations and contribute to future global site rollout.

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• 401(k) plan that includes a company match on your contribution and an annual company contribution that is tied to company performance
• Wellness incentives
• Employee Personal Assistance Program
• Dental, medical, vision and short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid holidays, personal time, and vacation
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed