Stage Gate Project Manager, Product Introduction

Stage Gate Project Manager, New Product Introduction

Job Category:
Research & Development

Location:

Milwaukee, WI 53209, USA

The NPI Project Manager is responsible for leading cross-functional teams through the development and launch of new boiler and thermal system products using a formal Stage-Gate process. This role ensures projects meet technical, regulatory, cost, quality, and schedule objectives from concept through commercialization and production ramp-up.

• Lead NPI programs from concept through feasibility, design, verification, validation, and market launch using a structured Stage-Gate methodology.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk registers.
• Plan and facilitate Stage-Gate reviews, ensuring required deliverables are complete and leadership is prepared for go/no-go decisions.

• Lead and align cross-functional teams, including Engineering (mechanical, electrical, controls, combustion), Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Service.
• Establish clear ownership of deliverables and accountability across functions.
• Manage communication with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards, including ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, UL, and other relevant regulations.
• Oversee prototype builds, performance testing, certification, and validation activities.

• Coordinate completion of required documentation to support production and sales launch.
• Support production ramp-up and monitor early field performance.

• Capture lessons learned and drive improvements to NPI and Stage-Gate processes.
• Support resource planning and project prioritization activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Thermal, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience in NPI within boiler, pressure vessel, or heavy industrial equipment manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects using Stage-Gate or Phase-Gate development processes.
• Experience with prototype development, validation testing, and production launch.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project or equivalent.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification.
• Experience in regulated or code-driven industries such as boilers, power generation, oil and gas, chemical processing, or HVAC.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with platform development and cost-reduction initiatives.

• Structured Stage-Gate project execution
• Technical leadership in thermal and pressure systems
• Cross-functional team leadership
• Risk and change management
• Regulatory compliance awareness
• Manufacturing readiness and commercialization execution

Travel approximately 10-20% to our production facilities

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility

Cleaver-Brooks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment, in accordance with applicable laws. Essential job functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that are generally required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Primarily office-based work with extended periods of sitting, standing, and working at a computer.
• Occasional movement within office, laboratory, manufacturing, or test environments.
• May occasionally be required to observe manufacturing processes, prototype builds, testing activities, or field installations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via electronic communication.
• Ability to review technical documents, drawings, and data, both in digital and printed formats.
• Occasional lifting of materials or equipment up to approximately 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Cleaver-Brooks is the market leader in providing fully integrated boiler and burner systems. We lead the boiler/burner industry due to our unmatched distribution network's ability to deliver the knowledge, service, training, and support that are essential to long-term performance. Our customers will tell you that we are the only equipment provider that manufactures boilers, burners, controls, and a full array of ancillary and aftermarket products.

They will also mention that our unique single-source capability means that we can deliver fully integrated boiler room solutions that reduce overall costs and optimize space. It is our focus on products that deliver the most efficient, reliable, safe, and environmentally sustainable…