Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer

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Full Time Professional Main Office, Raleigh, NC, US

TARGAN is seeking a highly accomplished Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer to serve as a senior technical leader within our R&D and Engineering organization. This individual will play a critical role in the invention, architecture, design, optimization, and commercialization of advanced automated electromechanical systems used in animal health and bio-industrial environments.

This role requires a highly creative, hands-on engineering expert who can lead complex product development initiatives from concept through commercialization while mentoring engineers and strengthening engineering standards. The ideal candidate combines deep mechanical engineering expertise with strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, strategic direction, technical mentorship, and a passion for solving complex problems through automation.

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of complex automated electromechanical systems, machinery, and equipment from concept through production release.
• Architect robust, scalable, and serviceable systems involving mechanical, pneumatic, fluidic, motion control, sensor, and automation technologies.
• Translate business needs, customer workflows, and product concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Lead technical decision-making for major engineering programs, balancing innovation, speed, cost, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation plans to maintain program timelines and performance goals.

• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings using Solid Works or similar CAD platforms.
• Design components including machine parts, sheet metal, welded structures, molded plastics, conveyors, actuators, precision mechanisms, and automated assemblies.
• Perform engineering calculations for sizing motors, pneumatics, actuators, structures, bearings, drives, and mechanical systems.
• Apply engineering tools such as FEA, tolerance analysis, FMEA, root cause analysis, and Design for Six Sigma principles.
• Create complete engineering documentation packages integrated with ERP, PLM, and release systems.
• Design and improve automated capital equipment and production systems involving robotics, motion control, sensors, cameras, pneumatics, and control interfaces.
• Collaborate closely with controls, electrical, vision, software, bioscience, manufacturing, and production teams.
• Improve equipment performance, uptime, safety, throughput, and maintainability.
• Support factory automation, workflow optimization, and field deployment initiatives.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and external manufacturers to execute Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Testability (DFT), and cost optimization initiatives.
• Support prototype builds, pilot systems, validation testing, and new product introduction.
• Resolve production and field issues through structured engineering problem-solving.
• Drive value engineering and continuous product cost reduction efforts.

• Lead formal and informal design reviews, ensuring high technical standards across programs.
• Establish and improve engineering processes, standards, templates, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety and machine regulations including CE, OSHA, NEC, NFPA, and related standards.
• Support engineering change management and configuration control processes.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers in design methods, problem solving, professionalism, and technical growth.
• Provide guidance across engineering disciplines as a trusted senior technical advisor.
• May lead a team of mechanical engineers, including resource planning, workload allocation, coaching, and performance management.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance engineering culture focused on accountability, creativity, and execution.
• Deep expertise in mechanical design of industrial automation, machinery, or capital equipment.
• Strong hands-on experience with CAD systems (Solid Works preferred).
• Extensive knowledge of motors, actuators, conveyors, pneumatics, bearings, mechanisms, and fabrication methods.
• Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and execute under tight timelines.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing methods including machining, welding, sheet metal, molding, casting, additive manufacturing, and assembly processes.
• Broad multidisciplinary understanding of controls, electrical systems, robotics, machine vision, and fluid systems.
• Strong communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Highly organized with strong project prioritization and multitasking ability.
• Creative thinker who can challenge assumptions and…