Principal Product Development Engineer

Principal Product Development Engineer Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in the design and development of customized sensor solutions from concept through production release
• Serve as a subject matter expert in finite element analysis (FEA), leading structural, thermal, and fatigue analyses to validate designs and guide material and geometry decisions
• Develop and review advanced mechanical designs for performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost
• Partner directly with customers and the sales organization to translate application requirements into technically sound, cost‑effective product solutions
• Lead technical trade studies, risk assessments, and design reviews
• Drive innovation in robotics and automation‑related sensor applications, including dynamic loading, precision motion environments, and integration considerations
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to develop scalable production processes, validation methods, and test protocols
• Identify, evaluate, and validate materials for demanding environmental, structural, and regulatory requirements
• Generate and review system‑level concepts, detailed designs, cost models, and performance specifications
• Support and influence compliance with ISO
  9000 quality systems and design control processes
• Mentor and technically guide junior and mid‑level engineers through design reviews, analysis methods, and best practices
• Actively contribute to cross‑functional and customer‑facing meetings as a technical representative of the organization
• Travel to customer sites and manufacturing locations as required to support development, validation, and issue resolution

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering required;
Master’s or PhD strongly preferred

10+ years of experience in mechanical product development, with demonstrated ownership of complex electromechanical systems

Deep expertise in stress analysis and finite element modeling, including nonlinear, dynamic, and fatigue analyses

Extensive hands‑on experience with FEA tools (Creo Simulate preferred; ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar acceptable)

Proven track record of leading technically complex programs from concept through production

Experience designing for robotics, automation, or dynamically loaded systems strongly preferred

Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and design for reliability

Experience influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers without formal authority

Solid grasp of the business implications of technical decisions, including cost, risk, and customer value

Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including direct customer interaction

• Advanced problem‑solving skills with the ability to address ambiguous, open‑ended technical challenges
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Strong collaborative mindset with the confidence to challenge assumptions and drive technical rigor
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively across engineering, manufacturing, sales, and leadership teams
• Proficiency with standard PC tools (MS Word, Excel, Windows) and enterprise systems such as SAP