Principal Engineer

University of Dayton, Ohio • Dayton, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position will support the engineering group in a principal engineer capacity, providing experienced technical leadership across complex systems & solutions through a rigorous development process. The principal engineer will guide & mentor cross‑functional teams in the execution of complex and/or strategically significant/high visibility projects as assigned by engineering leadership. The role requires a thorough understanding of contractual, customer, and qualification requirements along with the ability to translate them into clear technical direction, ensuring engineering solutions meet or exceed customer needs. Additionally, the principal engineer will assist in the development of part family qualification processes in alignment with the organizational and customer strategic direction. This role will also support AME leadership in generating proposals, ROMs, and technical quotes, informed by experience delivering engineering solutions and managing customer relationships across government and commercial programs. Finally, this role will assist in product development process improvement initiatives and root cause analysis activities to drive efficiency, reduce risk, and ensure compliance with applicable standards and industry best practices. Occasional travel is expected for this role. This role will be working in a highly agile environment in a multifunctional team and therefore, being a team player and having flexibility, adaptability, and attention to detail are key to success.

Requirements

• BS degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering or related field
• 20+ years of experience in engineering roles
• 15+ years of experience in product development
• Experience leading FMEA and risk analysis
• Experience conducting root cause analysis and performing corrective actions
• Experience working in government contracting
• Experience leading large projects or technical teams
• Experience in reviewing FEA analysis simulation results and interrogating outcomes using sound engineering judgement and best practices
• Practical experience reverse-engineering products/projects
• Familiarity with various manufacturing processes such as casting, forging, extrusion, CNC machining, injection molding, thermoforming, etc.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to perform extensive research, catalogue findings during development activities, and write reports for both internal and external use
• Effective interpersonal communication and presentation skills with coworkers and clients
• Experience mentoring and teaching younger engineers
• Self-motivation with ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a high pace and agile environment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Additive Manufacturing
• Experience working under ISO 9001 certified and/or AS9100 certified facility
• Experience working with socially and culturally diverse communities

Responsibilities

• Provide experienced technical leadership across complex systems & solutions through a rigorous development process.
• Guide & mentor cross‑functional teams in the execution of complex and/or strategically significant/high visibility projects.
• Translate contractual, customer, and qualification requirements into clear technical direction.
• Assist in the development of part family qualification processes.
• Support AME leadership in generating proposals, ROMs, and technical quotes.
• Assist in product development process improvement initiatives.
• Conduct root cause analysis activities to drive efficiency, reduce risk, and ensure compliance with applicable standards and industry best practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal