Principal Manufacturing Engineer

The Principal Manufacturing Engineer is a recognized expert responsible for developing, guiding, and executing high-impact manufacturing strategies across products, technologies, and sites in a high-tech production environment. This role defines and drives the bring-up of new products, leads resolution of highly complex technical challenges, and helps shape the organization’s long-term process and technology roadmap. Operating with exceptional autonomy, the principal engineer influences product architecture, drives technology selection, and serves as a mentor, advisor, and technical leader across functions and business units.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads major process transfers, factory ramp-ups, and manufacturing readiness programs across global or multi-site operations.
• Influences product design and architecture by collaborating early with R&D and design teams to ensure manufacturability, modularity, and testability (DFx).
• Develops and leads strategic initiatives in advanced manufacturing technologies (e.g., automation, precision assembly, Industry 4.0, digital twins) to enable scalable, cost-effective, and high-quality production.
• Leads new product prototype builds with exceptional project management and reporting.
• Sets technical direction and design standards for high-complexity process development and deployment.
• Authors and reviews complex assembly documentation, standard operating procedures, technology assessments, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Builds organizational capability by mentoring engineers, leading communities of practice, and advancing best practices.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Deep technical expertise in advanced high-tech manufacturing domains (e.g., advanced robotics, microelectronics, additive manufacturing, wafer-level packaging).
• Mastery of structured problem solving, process modeling, and validation in highly regulated or precision-driven environments.
• Strong business acumen and systems thinking; understands the intersection of cost, quality, speed, and risk.
• Proven track record of leading major cross-functional or cross-site projects with broad technical and operational impact.
• Skilled communicator and influencer across technical and executive audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and grow technical talent and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering required; Master’s strongly preferred.

Typical Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in high-tech manufacturing, with a demonstrated record of technical leadership and innovation.
• Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent preferred; deep familiarity with industry and regulatory standards (e.g., IPC, ISO, or automotive/aerospace-specific standards).