Senior Product Development Engineer, Valves

The Senior Product Development Engineer is responsible for leading the design, development, validation, and lifecycle management of mining valve products and associated flow-control solutions. This role drives innovation, product performance, reliability improvements, cost optimization, and standardization initiatives while working closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, Service, and customers. The position plays a key role in developing next-generation valve technologies that strengthen market competitiveness and support strategic growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead valve development projects from concept through commercialization and market launch.
• Design and develop valve assemblies, components, actuators, trim designs, sealing systems, and related flow-control equipment.
• Conduct engineering analyses including flow calculations, pressure containment, structural integrity, fatigue, wear, and material compatibility assessments.
• Drive product improvements focused on performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness.
• Conduct engineering calculations, design verification, FEA analysis, and technical evaluations.
• Develop scalable and standardized product platforms to improve operational efficiency and portfolio competitiveness.
• Support technology roadmaps and long-term product strategies.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Product Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Service, and Manufacturing teams.
• Support engineering change management, product lifecycle management, standardization, and portfolio optimization.
• Participate in root cause analysis, field performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and company engineering procedures.

Engineering & Design

• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials.
• Perform tolerance analysis, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and value engineering activities.
• Lead design reviews and technical risk assessments.
• Utilize FEA, CFD, and other simulation tools to validate product performance.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards including API, ASME, ISO, PED, and customer specifications.

Product Lifecycle Management

• Manage engineering changes, product upgrades, obsolescence plans, and sustaining engineering activities.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective actions for field issues.
• Drive continuous improvement programs focused on quality, reliability, and cost reduction.
• Maintain technical documentation and design standards throughout the product lifecycle.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers on market requirements and business cases.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to ensure successful product industrialization.
• Provide technical leadership during customer reviews, supplier evaluations, and commercialization activities.
• Support sales and service organizations with technical expertise and product training.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.

Location

• Position is based in Tucson, relocation will be explored for qualified candidates

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in product development, mechanical engineering, or valve design.
• Demonstrated experience with control valves, slurry valves, knife gate valves, butterfly valves, ball valves, check valves, or severe-service applications
• Strong working knowledge of industrial signals and communication protocols, such as discrete I/O, 4–20 mA, HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus/PROFINET, Modbus, and EtherNet/IP.
• Demonstrated expertise in the selection, sizing, and application of pneumatic, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, and electric valve actuation systems for demanding industrial applications.
• Strong working knowledge of valve automation accessories, including solenoid valves, limit switches, position transmitters, positioners, control panels, and open/closed position-feedback systems.
• Proven success delivering new products from concept through market introduction.
• Experience working in mining, process industries
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, stage-gate development processes, and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Proven project leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Product Development
• Valve Sizing and Selection
• Fluid Mechanics and Flow Control
• FEA and CFD Analysis
• Materials Engineering
• API / ASME / ANSI and other international Standards
• CAD design experience (CATIA, SolidWorks preferred)
• Product Lifecycle Management Systems
• Root Cause Analysis
• Reliability Engineering
• Value Engineering
• Project Management

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and product vision.
• Strong customer focus and commercial awareness.
• Ability to influence across global, cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Continuous improvement and innovation mindset.

As an equal opportunity employer, FLSmidth embraces diversity and equality by promoting an environment of inclusion. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply - the more diverse our employees are, the stronger our team is. In our commitment to equal opportunity and eliminating bias, we kindly request that you exclude personal information such as age, ethnicity, marital status, number of children, and photographs from your application materials.

What we offer

FLSmidth is the leading supplier of engineering, equipment and service solutions to customers in the mining and minerals industries – for more information please visit FLSmidth.com/careers

We offer all employees access to a dedicated recognition platform, empowering you to celebrate achievements, share appreciation and stay connected globally.