KitchenAid Espresso Product Development Engineer

This role in summary

As an Analyst Systems Engineer, you will serve as the primary System Integrator for our Espresso category, bridging the gap between business strategy, system architecture, and technical execution. Working with cross-functional partners and senior technical leaders, you will own the end-to-end integration of complex systems—driving concepts from early-stage validation to full product approval.

In this elevated role, you will lead concept selection, hold accountability for Design Validation Plan (DVP) closures, manage safety and regulatory approvals, and ensure project execution meets critical timing, cost, and budget KPIs. This position offers an exciting opportunity for an engineer with a strong systems-thinking mindset to drive technical decision-making and deliver high-performing KitchenAid products to market.

Your responsibilities will include

• Lead Concept Validation & Selection: Own the generation and evaluation of subsystem and system concepts using Concept Selection Matrices (CSM). Develop robust concept validation plans, execute proof-of-concept testing, and align cross-functional teams around the winning design.
• Drive Design Validation & Product Approval: Accountable for full Design Validation Plan (DVP) execution through Industrialization Phase. Oversee Global Product Approval (GPA) management in partnership with the Verification and Validation (V&V) team, guarantee compliance with safety sign-offs, PHM closures, and codes/regulatory certifications.
• Cross-Functional Issue Resolution: Maintain and drive the technical design and process issues list to closure. Partner with OEMs to provide technical solutions, optimize experimentation methodologies, and resolve root-cause failures.
• Deliver to Project KPIs: Generate ideal development schedules to hit Open to Ship (OTS) targets. Manage product design to meet overall target product costs and identify smart engineering solutions to minimize capital expenditure.
• Manage Project Engineering Financials: Hold accountability for managing project engineering expenses to established budgets, providing accurate monthly forecasting for KitchenAid engineering spend.
  Oversee Build Planning & Configuration: Document build configurations and design levels across development cycles while establishing build quantity plans necessary to complete full validation testing.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

• 1+ years of engineering experience in product development, system integration, or testing execution

Preferred skills and experiences

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Chemical, or related discipline)

• Proven experience applying systems engineering tools (e.g., CSM, DVP&R, risk mitigation, trade-off analysis) to complex consumer products or electro-mechanical systems

• Strong technical leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional alignment and push technical issues to resolution

• Experience managing external suppliers or OEM partners on technical requirements, root-cause troubleshooting, and build execution

• Clear, impactful communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical risks, trade-offs, and project status to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Financial and business acumen, including basic project expense tracking, cost estimation, and risk management

• High self-motivation, critical thinking skills, and an "Own It" attitude toward project success and product excellence

What we offer

Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Additional information

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working

Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day.  We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed. 

• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.

• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.