Senior Quality Engineer - New Product Development

Working at Watlow

Watlow is a global technology and manufacturing leader who provides world class engineering expertise through innovative thermal products and systems, enabling our customers to thrive. We are making a positive impact every day as our solutions enrich the lives of people everywhere. We have been providing breakthrough thermal solutions for nearly a century. Our corporate values guide us uncompromisingly to always do the right thing, continually learn and improve, respect everyone, and lead with service and humility.

About the Role

As the Senior Quality Engineer supporting New Product Development (NPD), you will have a pivotal role in shaping the success of our innovative product introductions. Based at our Advanced Technology Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and reporting to an Engineering Manager, you will drive product quality excellence from development through to production.

This role is ideal for a self-motivated, results-driven professional passionate about leveraging Watlow Quality Plan (WQP) tools to prevent defects and enhance process and product quality before transitioning to production. As a Sr. Quality Engineer, you will collaborate closely with project teams and key functions across Watlow, including leadership, operations, engineering, supply chain, product/account management, and customer service, to drive excellence at every stage.

You will lead efforts to apply WQP tools according to the project plan, ensuring on-time product releases with robust quality metrics in place to measure success. This position demands a deep understanding of customer product requirements and quality system standards to deliver prototypes and production-ready products that meet and exceed expectations

Your Key Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and assess project plans, identifying gaps and collaborating with internal and external customers to enhance their capabilities and meet expectations.
• Lead and coach product development teams in using Watlow Quality Plan (WQP) tools, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Gauge R&R, Capability Analysis, and error-proofing (Poka Yoke) practices.
• Guide teams in utilizing WQP tools to establish enterprise quality metrics, such as PPM, RTY, and Scrap rates.
• Lead quality-focused initiatives, including Kaizen and Just-Do-It (JDI) events, to drive product improvements.
• Read and interpret complex customer specifications and drawings, integrating them into business processes, products, and systems.
• Provide coaching, constructive feedback, and oversight to less experienced engineers and technicians, monitoring their work to ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Travel as needed to Watlow sites for production readiness reviews.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and related quality experience, or equivalent experience (5-8 years)

Desired Qualifications

• Watlow experience preferred
• Process Auditing Experience
• Ability to lead through influence
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts and tools
• Experience developing Product Control Plans and developing complex testing and inspection methods.
• Experience with Error Proofing Methodologies
• Mastery in the use of various measurement tools/gauges, electrical equipment, temperature & power controls, temperature sensors, and fluid control devices
• Mastery applying quality tools (i.e. Data analysis/Pareto, SPC, Error Proofing, MSA/Gauge R&R, Control Plan/FMEA)

Benefits: The Watlow Total Compensation Plan

The health, well-being and financial stability of you and your family is a high priority to us. The Watlow Total Rewards Plan includes competitive compensation and a full range of life and career enhancing benefits:

• Annual Achievement Award
• 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

Diversity & Inclusion

We proactively embrace diversity in all its dimensions across our company and cultivate a culture of inclusion and forward thinking that respects and reflects each team member's individual strengths, views, and experiences. Watlow takes pride in being an inclusive equal opportunity employer and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Please let us know confidentially if you need or require any special accommodations to participate in our recruiting process by emailing us at accommodations@Watlow.com.