R&D Engineer for Global New Technologies - Warewash Division

Company Description

Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is a Fortune 200 diversified manufacturing company with seven decentralized business segments, which includes the Food Equipment Group. The Warewash Business Division, one of the businesses within the Food Equipment Group, is seeking an Research and Development Engineer for Global New Technologies for its Troy, Ohio facility, located 20 minutes north of the Dayton metropolitan area and is an in-office position.

Warewash Division Description:

The Warewash Business Division produces Hobart brand commercial dishwashers that are used in hotels, casinos, restaurants, cruise ships, schools, universities and retail establishments.  We are the industry leader and seeking to expand our growth in existing served markets as well as new markets.

The division drives growth of its business through sales strategies, a pipeline of new product development (NPD) and through enhanced customer facing approaches to enhance our competitive advantage.  Division goals also include attracting and retaining the best talent reflective of our local and global communities.

Job Description

Summary:

Are you innovative, forward thinking, and have a technical skill set?  If so, this may be the position for you!  The successful candidate will work closely with the Global NT team (U.S. and Germany) to improve R&D operations and transfer new ideas to U.S. products.  The team will develop and implement global innovation technologies into Hobart warewash products in close cooperation with regional marketing teams and R&D functions (U.S. and Germany). 

What you will do:

The R&D Engineer for Global New Technologies shall primarily be responsible for:

• Identifying market needs in dedicated market segments and countries in cooperation with global marketing.
• Identifying, observing and understanding customer pain points and problems to find solutions through new opportunities and ideas.
• Detailed validation of ideas with highest priorities, according to technical and economic criteria.
• Advanced research and development of new technologies and new innovations based on market and customer research, needs, pain points, requirements and regional standards.
• Technology transfer to Hobart product platform development and working with related cross- functional teams.
• Ongoing improvement of major ware washing attributes (e.g. total cost of ownership, energy consumption, labor management, soil and waste management, chemical optimization, etc.) focused on “80” machines and “80” competitors.
• Observation and evaluation of potential new technology and market trends.
• Actively work on Automation and Robotic Solutions for ware washing.
• Actively supporting FEG Connectivity and IoT Strategy and help to transfer and implement technologies into US machines.
• Actively supporting Global Control activities.   

Qualifications

What we are looking for:

• Strategic thinker
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Execution and results-oriented
• Ability to understand the strong link to the overall profitable global business growth objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Analytical mindset
• Relational, ability to integrate with multiple functions and nationalities

The successful candidates in this position will spend approximately eight (8) weeks in Germany at the start of this position for orientation and onboarding.  Afterwards, the position will require occasional travel to Europe. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in mechanical or electrical Engineering; MS or MBA preferred
• Knowledgeable in mechanical and electrical engineering, physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and chemistry
• Ability to lead projects
• Knowledgeable in engineering tools like 3-D CAD (Pro Engineer preferred), FMEA, VA, DVPR, DOE, New Product Development, Stage Gate processes (NPD)
• Basic skills in IoT and Connectivity
• Customer Back Innovation (preferred, but training offered)
• Willingness to travel (EU/Asia)
• Second language desirable, German preferred

Additional Information

ITW is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create w