Research Engineer

A. O. Smith seeks a Research Engineer to develop innovative water heating and water treatment technologies for residential and commercial products. In this role, you will design and execute lab experiments, build and test prototypes, and analyze thermal, fluid, and materials performance data to improve efficiency, reliability, and water quality. You will collaborate with cross functional engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to translate research concepts into scalable solutions.

This position operates in a safety-focused, performance-driven environment with strong support for continuous improvement, technical growth, and long-term career development.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct laboratory experiments on water heating and treatment technologies.
• Develop and test prototypes to evaluate thermal, hydraulic, and materials performance.
• Analyze experimental data and modeling results to improve efficiency, reliability, and water quality.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to transition research concepts to production-ready designs.
• Document test methods, results, and recommendations in clear technical reports and presentations.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and industry standards in all research activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across products, processes, and test methods.

Required Skills

• Thermal systems analysis
• Heat transfer and fluid dynamics
• Materials science for water systems
• Experimental design and testing
• Statistical data analysis
• CAD and simulation tools (e.g., CFD/FEA)
• Prototype development and validation
• Laboratory safety and procedures
• Design for manufacturing (DFM)
• Technical documentation and reporting