NPI & LCM Principal Engineer | Irvine, CA
About The Position
The NPI & LCM Principal Engineer provides strategic technical leadership across new product development, design transfer, commercialization, and lifecycle management, serving as the primary engineering liaison between R&D and Supply Chain. Working with significant autonomy, this role directs cross-functional engineering teams to deliver safe, compliant, manufacturable, reliable, and cost-effective products that achieve quality, yield, capability, and delivery objectives. The Principal Engineer defines technical direction, project scope, equipment needs, resources, and schedules; leads design and process changes; and develops the specifications, work instructions, validation protocols, reports, and controlled documentation required for successful execution and compliance. As a technical authority, the role supervises and coordinates engineers and technicians, mentors junior engineers, and drives effective decisions that strengthen product quality, operational performance, and long-term business value. The role converts product and process requirements into scalable manufacturing solutions by leading design for manufacturability, product and process characterization, tooling and equipment development, production test methods, and qualification and validation activities, including IQ, OQ, PQ, and APQ. It applies advanced engineering principles and Process Excellence methods to optimize yield, resolve complex mechanical and electrical assembly challenges, and sustain manufacturing performance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, biomedical engineering, or a related field is required
- 6-8+ years of relevant experience is required.
- Demonstrated mastery of engineering theory, practical applications, and experimental techniques is required.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Proficiency with statistical software, such as Minitab, is required.
- Strong business and financial acumen is required.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and build strong internal and external relationships is required.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly are required.
- Ability to prioritize competing requests and recommend effective alternatives is required.
- Knowledge of project management tools and processes, with the ability to apply them across diverse business settings, is required.
Nice To Haves
- a master’s degree is preferred.
- Experience presenting to senior management is preferred.
- Proficiency with CAD software, such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks, is preferred.
- Project management skills are preferred.
- Lean, Six Sigma, or other Process Excellence certification is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead cost-reduction initiatives for products, materials, and manufacturing techniques using engineering and financial analysis.
- Independently resolve complex engineering challenges and represent the organization in technical discussions.
- Apply advanced engineering methods and cross-disciplinary knowledge to address business and technical needs.
- Consult management on unusual technical problems, risks, and developments.
- Plan, develop, coordinate, and direct engineering projects of varying size and complexity.
- Execute complex assignments that develop new or improved techniques, procedures, equipment, materials, processes, or products.
- Serve as a subject matter expert by establishing and evaluating project plans and technical criteria.
- Assess the feasibility and technical soundness of proposed tests, products, processes, and equipment.
- Supervise and review technical work, estimate resource needs, assign responsibilities, and manage schedules.
- Ensure equipment, processes, design reviews, and pre-validation activities comply with safety, quality, health, and environmental standards.
- Communicate business issues and opportunities to management while ensuring teams have the resources needed for compliance.
- Maintain personal and company compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures, and perform other assigned duties.
Benefits
- Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
- Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
- Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
- Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
- Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
- Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
- Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
- Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
- Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
