Project Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer

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.

Job Description - Manufacturing Project Engineer (Custom Electric Heat Exchangers)

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Project Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and driving the successful manufacturing of custom electric heat exchangers and related thermal equipment. This role acts as the technical bridge between Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to ensure that engineered-to-order (ETO) equipment is produced safely, efficiently, on schedule, and to specification.

The position requires strong technical depth, hands-on familiarity with engineered equipment, and demonstrated project coordination experience within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination & Execution

• Serve as the primary manufacturing liaison for assigned custom heat exchanger projects from release through shipment.
• Translate engineering designs, BOMs, and specifications into actionable manufacturing plans.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, manufacturing travelers, and production status reports.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities (fabrication, machining, tube bending, welding, electrical assembly, testing).
• Lead daily/weekly production readiness reviews, escalating risks early and driving issue resolution.
• Manage engineering changes (ECR/ECO) and ensure controlled incorporation into in-progress builds.

Technical & Engineering Duties

• Review and interpret mechanical and electrical design packages, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and weld maps.
• Verify manufacturability of thermal elements, bundles, pressure vessels, manifolds, terminal enclosures, and control assemblies.
• Work with Product Engineering to clarify design intent, resolve technical questions, and support design-for-manufacturing improvements.
• Develop and validate process documentation such as work instructions, test procedures, and inspection plans.
• Support technical evaluations of special processes (welding, brazing, insulation systems, electrical connections, NDE).

Manufacturing Readiness & Process Control

• Ensure all materials, components, and special-order items are available to support build schedules.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to identify long-lead items and ensure supplier readiness.
• Validate that tooling, fixtures, test stands, and equipment resources are available and capable.
• Ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards (ASME, UL/CSA, ATEX/IECEx where applicable).
• Support nonconformance resolution using structured root cause analysis and corrective action tools.

Cost, Quality, and Delivery Performance

• Monitor project performance against cost estimates, identifying variances and improvement opportunities.
• Drive quality expectations throughout assembly and testing to ensure right-first-time results.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on lead time reduction, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.

Customer & Stakeholder Communication

• Participate in customer meetings (FAT, technical clarifications, inspections) as a manufacturing representative.
• Provide internal stakeholders with timely updates on project status, risks, and mitigation actions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, or related discipline).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a Project Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering role supporting engineered-to-order industrial equipment.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex manufacturing projects involving mechanical and electrical assemblies.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, MTO/BOM structures, and project documentation.
• Working knowledge…