Rotational Engineering Program Associate

Rotational Engineering Program Associate - 2026

Fort Smith, AR, United States

Welcome to our 2026 US Air Division Rotational Engineering Program
!

Rheem wants to ensure continuity of a pipeline of well-rounded and experienced engineers to support growth initiatives for the division and enterprise. Our program offers a rotational engineer position where participants will gain extensive company and industry insights through hands-on assignments learning product development and launch processes. Our Rotational Engineering Program is designed for recent graduates to:

• Familiarize themselves with the different engineering functions at Rheem.
• Build a comprehensive view of the development, testing, and manufacturing of products.
• Develop professionally while contributing to the organization.

During the program, candidates will be placed in 4 different engineering department roles for 6 months each:
Operations, Product/R&D Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Product/R&D Testing. Rotations will allow selected employees to experience new, challenging assignments while having the opportunity expedite knowledge of the business, develop innovative solutions to real business challenges the company is facing, and build a professional network.

Rotational Engineers must successfully complete the 24-month program before final position placement. Position placement will be based upon available openings and employee preference.

The program is set to begin June 2026. This position will serve our
US Air Division
, located in
Fort Smith, Arkansas. The hired candidates must be located in Fort Smith, Arkansas and will have a combination of on-site and work from home opportunity, based on which section of the rotation they are in for that period of time.

• Rheem will provide a supportive environment for the rotational engineers to ensure each employee gains valuable experience to help build a long-term career path. Employees will have the opportunity to challenge themselves with each rotation and receive a different view of the business initiatives.
  
  Here’s what to expect:
• Operations:
  • Learn manufacturing processes in depth and how they are all related.
  • Learn the cause-and-effect relationship with manufacturing and other functions of the business to drive success in future positions.
  • Gain knowledge of the Rheem Production System (RPS), which is based upon the philosophies of the Toyota Production System.
  • Ability to design operator workstations that maximize efficiency.
  • Work one-on-one with other engineers designing new processes and improving existing processes.
• Gain an intimate knowledge of HVAC&R products, principles and science.
• Ability to directly apply knowledge gained during undergraduate school: basics of design, noise and vibration, fluid flow, thermodynamics, heat transfer, controls, electric circuits, and machines, etc.
• Gain experience and knowledge with product development from generation through design and development, testing and final product release to production and post release product technical support.
• Understand the fundamentals of being a well-rounded engineer by learning essential aspects of the Engineering function including design, drawing, documentation, experimentation, creating bill of materials, releasing drawings, ensuring manufacturability, engaging suppliers of key components and integrating purchased parts into the design, ensuring quality is built into all stages of development, ensuring all regulatory and certification agency requirements, and working with all other business functions including Sourcing, Manufacturing, Tooling, Quality Assurance, Product Management, Sales and Service.
• Hands‑on laboratory experience by working with experienced technicians in building prototypes in the model shop, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and integrating them into product design.
• Quality Assurance
  • Planning, Quality Control, and Quality Improvement
  • Learn the 8D problem solving and validation methodology.
  • Co – Lead a significant Quality Improvement Project with Quality or R&D Engineer
  • Lead a significant Quality Improvement Project (problem or initiative)
  • Complete training on the Production…