Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Robotics

Tennant Company•Eden Prairie, MN

3d•$113,600 - $175,700•Onsite

About The Position

Tennant Company is seeking a highly collaborative, strategically minded Principal Manufacturing Engineer to serve as the primary liaison between its Robotics Venture program teams and its broader operations and manufacturing organization. The role is accountable for ensuring new robotic products are successfully launched into global manufacturing while representing venture objectives and aligning with core operations standards and processes. The engineer will ensure global manufacturing sites are prepared to scale robotics into repeatable, reliable production. Success is measured by meeting schedule deliverables, improving assembly efficiency, optimizing cost, and adhering to quality and compliance standards during product launch. The role is based in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and is not eligible for remote work. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employment visa sponsorship; relocation assistance is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial) from an ABET-accredited institution.
7–10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production launch, or industrial process implementation.
Proven experience in product launch management, manufacturing operations, and program management in complex global environments.
Broad technical knowledge of the design and development of mechanical and computer-controlled electro-mechanical systems.
Strong ability to build partnerships, communicate effectively and concisely, and collaborate across functions including R&D, Systems, Supply Chain, and Operations.
Deep understanding of global manufacturing processes, supply chain considerations, and operational best practices.
Strategic thinking focused on operational execution.
Ability to act as an effective liaison between program teams and operations, with excellent communication skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities and drive results in a matrix organization.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without employment visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with complex electro-mechanical systems and/or electric vehicle architectures.

Responsibilities

Shape and align cross-functional strategies so manufacturing decisions support broader organizational goals and future growth.
Collaborate with program teams to translate product designs, technical specifications, and launch requirements into actionable operational plans.
Identify potential manufacturing constraints and risks, and develop mitigation strategies.
Remain accountable to venture program teams for launch outcomes while balancing the needs of the broader operations organization.
Track and report launch progress, risks, and dependencies to venture leadership and operations stakeholders.
Identify and drive initiatives that improve the long-term scalability, adaptability, and competitive advantage of the robotics manufacturing platform.
Serve as the primary point of contact between Robotics Venture program teams and global manufacturing operations.
Lead production launches and implementation of new robotics designs and subsystems at manufacturing facilities.
Define and establish production process standards and documentation, including assembly and testing.
Represent venture priorities and requirements within core operations, aligning manufacturing readiness, supply chain, quality, and process capabilities.
Facilitate communication and alignment between venture product teams and regional and global manufacturing sites to support timely, cost-effective, high-quality launches.
Work with R&D, Machine Integration, and Supply Chain to incorporate design-for-manufacturing principles.
Provide feedback during design reviews to ensure designs meet production requirements for cost and quality.
Incorporate market trends, customer feedback, and competitive benchmarking into launch manufacturing strategies.