Lead​/Principle Engineer - Plastic Manufacturing

Lead / Principal Engineer

Location:

Midwest USA (Relocation Available)

Type:
Full‑Time

A leading consumer products organization is seeking a Lead / Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership across the development of highly engineered, safety‑critical products for the North American market. This individual will play a key role in advancing product architecture, validation capability, engineering rigor, and innovation initiatives within a highly regulated environment. The position requires a hands‑on technical leader capable of guiding complex product development efforts from concept through launch while driving engineering excellence across cross‑functional teams.

This is an opportunity to influence next‑generation product platforms while helping shape long‑term engineering strategy, product integrity standards, and advanced development methodologies.

• Lead technical development activities for complex mechanical consumer products within a regulated environment.
• Drive engineering excellence across product architecture, performance, manufacturability, reliability, craftsmanship, and cost optimization.
• Support full product lifecycle activities including concept development, prototyping, validation, launch, and continuous improvement.
• Guide engineering teams in the use of advanced development tools and methodologies including GD&T, DVP&R, DFMEA/FMEA, tolerance analysis, and simulation techniques.
• Develop scalable product architectures and standardized engineering approaches to improve performance consistency and development efficiency.
• Troubleshoot complex technical and validation‑related issues using structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Analyze dynamic product performance and investigate root causes related to testing outcomes and product integrity.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Product Development, Quality, Manufacturing, Testing, and Leadership teams to meet program objectives related to cost, timing, quality, and performance.
• Contribute to long‑term product innovation and technology roadmap initiatives.
• Support advanced development efforts focused on improving speed‑to‑market and product competitiveness.
• Incorporate consumer usability and voice‑of‑customer considerations into engineering solutions.
• Help identify opportunities related to intellectual property, technical differentiation, and platform expansion.
• Foster a culture centered around ownership, accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.

• 10+ years of technical product development experience within a highly regulated industry.
• Prior experience in automotive safety, transportation systems, durable consumer products, medical devices, aerospace, or similar engineering environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading complex engineering programs and technical teams.
• Strong understanding of product validation, testing, and structured problem solving.
• Experience with formal methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Six Sigma, DFMEA, and DVP&R.
• Hands‑on experience with 3D CAD systems (Solid Works preferred).
• Understanding of global and regional regulatory considerations related to safety‑critical product development.
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing and quality functions preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field required.
• Master's degree preferred.