VAVE Engineer

Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE "HAYW") is the largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment in the world, with a significant presence in the commercial pool market that is continuously growing. Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment including pumps, filters, heating, cleaners, salt chlorinators, automation, lighting, safety, flow control and energy solutions at our company owned facilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hayward also has facilities in Tennessee, Arizona, and Rhode Island as well as Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China.  This role is based in Nashville, TN.

The VAVE Engineer supports the Product Engineering and Production teams by leading projects that sustain, optimize, improve, and reduce costs of existing product designs. This role plays a critical part in enhancing product performance, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining high-quality standards.

• Drive product revisions, modifications, optimizations, and cost-reduction initiatives for products manufactured in Hayward production facilities.
• Investigate and resolve vendor and production issues related to product design, conformance, and specifications.
• Collaborate with CAD Designers, Lab Technicians, and Engineers on product maintenance activities.
• Develop CAD models, detailed design drawings, test requests, and conduct hands-on product testing as needed.
• Review vendor drawings, specification control drawings, and industry standards to ensure product compliance.
• Identify and resolve project challenges while maintaining open communication with the Engineering Manager.
• Partner with production teams to address manufacturing and design concerns, implementing cost-saving improvements.
• Work closely with the Quality Department to identify issues and drive product enhancements.
• Participate in design review meetings and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare technical documentation, including qualification test procedures, DFMEAs, acceptance procedures, reports, and product manuals.
• Present project status, challenges, and recommendations to leadership.
• Coordinate with certifying agencies to obtain and maintain product certifications.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to achieve project goals.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA safety policies and workplace best practices.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Understanding of fuel gas combustion appliances, refrigeration systems, heat pumps, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
• Familiarity with industry standards and certification bodies (CSA, ETL, UL, ANSI, NSF, AHRI).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a plus.
• 2–4 years of experience in product design and/or service engineering.
• Knowledge of Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) methodologies preferred.
• Experience with product assembly methods, quality systems, cost analysis, and BOM structures.
• Proven ability to contribute to cross-functional product development teams, ensuring project delivery on time and within budget.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred), geometric tolerancing, and "design for assembly" principles.
• Understanding of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Design for Reliability methodologies.
• Project management experience is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Education:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

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