Principal Mechanical Engineer

Fieldpiece Instruments • Orange, CA

2d • $175,000 - $230,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Build Something from the Ground Up Fieldpiece is hiring a Principal Mechanical Engineer who wants to do more than maintain existing products—you’ll lead the development of an entirely new product from concept through launch. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys turning early ideas into real, manufacturable products and working across industrial design firms, ODM partners, and contract manufacturers to bring innovative tools to market. You’ll play a central role in defining the product architecture, solving complex mechanical challenges, and ensuring the design is optimized for performance, reliability, and scalable manufacturing. If you’re energized by owning the engineering journey from first sketch to production launch, we want to talk to you. Fieldpiece is a thriving team of innovators - committed to pushing boundaries and celebrating curiosity. We’ve been providing HVACR professionals with rugged, feature-rich tools like meters, manifolds, leak detectors, and more since 1990. Fieldpiece leads the industry in the way we think, work, collaborate, and remain laser-focused on creating products that empower HVACR professionals – today and tomorrow. If you thrive in an environment where challenges are embraced, ambiguity fuels innovation, and relationships are built on trust and transparency—this is your opportunity. Honored as a Best Place to Work in SoCal for three consecutive years (2023–2025), Fieldpiece offers more than a job—we offer a career journey. With our Hire-to-Retire philosophy, hybrid schedule, and supportive culture, you’ll have the space to flex your curious, innovative, and entrepreneurial muscles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; master’s degree preferred
• 7+ years of progressive mechanical / electro-mechanical product development experience
• Demonstrated experience leading mechanical products from concept through production
• Strong mechanical fundamentals with the ability to independently solve complex problems
• Experience making product‑level tradeoffs and prioritizing requirements in ambiguous environments
• Hands‑on experience with CAD (SolidWorks preferred), BOM management, and design documentation
• Experienced working with external vendors and contract manufacturers, including ODMs / overseas suppliers
• Familiarity with structured problem‑solving and risk tools (RCCA, FMEA, fault trees, fishbone)
• Experience designing or overseeing test fixtures, validation systems, and verification plans
• Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid systems
• Ability to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally (typically ~1 overseas trip/year)

Nice To Haves

• Vacuum pump or fluid‑handling system experience preferred, not required

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical product definition from early concept through production
• Define and prioritize requirements, performance specifications, system architecture, and key trade‑off decisions based on customer needs, costs, schedules, and manufacturability
• Evaluate product scope, feature set, and technical direction
• Perform hands‑on design, analysis, and troubleshooting of complex systems to include mechanical, electrical, and firmware
• Integrate products with other devices and systems to ensure system‑level compatibility and performance
• Direct test engineers and help define test strategies, fixtures, validation plans, and acceptance criteria; conduct and review laboratory and field testing
• Analyze data to drive design improvements and corrective actions
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Work with Contract Manufacturers and ODMs to ensure alignment between design intent, cost targets, and supply chain constraints, resolve issues and ensure production readiness, quality, and manufacturability
• Apply structured design and quality tools (RCCA, FMEA, design reviews) to manage risk and prevent failures
• Support patent generation and prepare technical documentation for novel product concepts

Benefits

• Matching 401k up to 4% with immediate vesting.
• Excellent medical benefits including an HSA plan and monthly contributions.
• Supplemental Term Life, Employee Assistance Programs (EAD), Disability, and more.
• Hire to Retire philosophy that includes personal career development plans.
• Onsite music program with lessons from guitar, piano and voice coaches.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees