Engineer, Principal - Technology

American Bureau of Shipping•Spring, TX

17h

About The Position

ABS is a leading Classification Society focused on promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment. The Principal Engineer in the Technology organization will provide strategic technical leadership in the development, qualification, and industry adoption of advanced materials, welding technologies, and robotic systems for marine and offshore applications. This role involves leading complex applied research and development programs, guiding multidisciplinary teams, supporting business development, and contributing to the evolution of ABS rules and guidance. The position requires deep technical expertise, strong program leadership, and the ability to influence stakeholders across the maritime technology ecosystem.

Requirements

Minimum of 15 years of related engineering experience in a shipyard, maritime-related industry, heavy fabrication environment, research organization, robotics or welding automation environment, design/consulting organization, or classification society; experience in classification, standards development, or applied R&D strongly preferred.
B.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or other closely related discipline
Deep technical expertise in materials science and engineering, particularly metallic materials used in marine and offshore structures.
Extensive hands-on and applied experience with welding processes such as SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and SAW, including welding procedure development, weld quality evaluation, inspection, and NDT/NDE methods.
Strong knowledge of robotic welding systems, automation technologies, and manufacturing integration; familiarity with humanoid, collaborative, or advanced robotic platforms is highly desirable.
Expert understanding of materials degradation and structural integrity mechanisms relevant to marine and offshore applications, including corrosion, fatigue, fracture, and embrittlement.
Strong ability to interpret and apply relevant industry codes and standards, including AWS, ASME, ISO, and classification society requirements related to materials, welding, inspection, and qualification.
Experience using sensor data, process data, digital tools, and analytics to assess weld quality, material performance, structural condition, or technology effectiveness.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical programs, supervise engineering work, and coordinate across functions and disciplines.
Strong business and customer orientation, including experience supporting proposals, bids, external presentations, and account or client relationship development.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to mentor, instruct, and develop other engineers and technical staff.
Proven ability to work effectively across organizations and with external partners.
Working knowledge of the ABS Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental Management System or similar HSE/quality frameworks.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) with emphasis on materials, welding, structural integrity, manufacturing, robotics, or related field preferred.
Experience developing guidance, standards, qualification frameworks, or rule proposals related to welding, robotics, digitalization, or advanced manufacturing.
Experience with digital twins, predictive models, machine learning, or data analytics applied to welding, materials, or structural integrity.
Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages for data analysis, automation, or integration with robotic systems.
Experience working directly with shipyards, offshore construction yards, robotic system suppliers, or advanced manufacturing technology developers in maritime or heavy-industry sectors.
Established industry visibility through technical committees, conference participation, published papers, or collaborative research programs.

Responsibilities

Identify, define, and develop strategic Technology programs and projects in the areas of materials, welding, robotics, and related digital technologies, and recommend priorities aligned with ABS business and technical objectives.
Lead and supervise large, complex, and/or multiple concurrent projects involving robotic welding, weld quality assessment, structural integrity, materials performance, and technology qualification.
Direct investigations into the requirements, standards, and qualification processes associated with the use of humanoid and other robotic systems for shipyard welding, including: (1) Developing and assessing welding procedures for robotic welding applications. (2) Defining data requirements and acceptance criteria for weld quality based on sensor and process data from robots. (3) Evaluating methods to qualify robotic welding systems and operators and to qualify the resulting welds.
Serve as technical authority and principal subject-matter expert on materials behavior and degradation mechanisms, including corrosion, fatigue, fracture, embrittlement, and related structural integrity issues in marine and offshore environments.
Lead multidisciplinary teams and provide day-to-day leadership, direction, mentoring, and technical guidance to engineers and other technical staff.
Review, assign, and monitor technical work performed by engineers and senior engineers, ensuring delivery of high-quality service, technical consistency, and strong customer relationships.
Contribute to and lead the development of ABS rules, guidance notes, best practices, and rule-change proposals related to welding, robotics, materials, and associated qualification methodologies.
Maintain active awareness of technical, regulatory, business, and market developments affecting present and potential customers, and communicate relevant information promptly to management and project teams.
Serve as a key technical representative to customers, industry groups, research partners, shipyards, owners, OEMs, and technology developers, actively promoting ABS services and capabilities throughout the business community.
Develop or assist in the development of qualification statements, proposals, bids, and project scopes, and present these to prospective clients and partners as needed.
Plan and manage assigned budgets, schedules, resources, technical deliverables, and reporting requirements to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Advise management on short- and long-term technical capability, manpower, and training needs within assigned areas of responsibility.
Perform selected engineering reviews, analyses, and technical assessments where needed, particularly for critical or novel applications.
Author, review, and present technical papers, reports, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
Ensure that all ABS Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental Management System requirements and ABS Quality System requirements are fulfilled within areas of responsibility.