Principal R&D Engineer - FEA

Dodge Industrial • Simpsonville, SC

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Principal R&D Engineer will act as a principal engineer for the team to drive improved decision-making skills and advanced educational development for team members. This individual will lead major multi-phase R&D projects and teach less skilled colleagues to improve overall R&D team performance. The role maintains awareness of state-of-the-art technology, as well as Dodge products and technologies, and identifies and understands technical drivers for R&D projects. The Principal R&D Engineer understands what creates customer value in own R&D projects and project portfolio, works to improve operations, increase customer satisfaction, and provides consulting services to business operations and customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 20 years of engineering experience in the design, analysis, and development of mechanical products or systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical design principles, including structural mechanics, materials, manufacturing processes, and product development.
• Significant experience performing and interpreting Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Advanced proficiency with commercial FEA software, preferably ANSYS; experience with Abaqus is also acceptable.
• Proven record of technical innovation demonstrated through patents, patent applications, invention disclosures, intellectual property development, or commercialization of new technologies.
• Exceptional mechanical aptitude with the ability to quickly diagnose, analyze, and solve complex engineering problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
• Significant experience designing metallic products, components, or engineered systems.
• Experience leading design, and technical problem-solving efforts for highly engineered products.
• Recognized industry expertise through publications, patents, conference presentations, technical committee participation, or other professional accomplishments.
• Experience supporting products throughout the entire lifecycle, from concept development through validation, production, and field support.

Responsibilities

• Act as a senior engineer for the team to drive improved decision-making skills and advanced educational development for team members.
• Act as the technology leader for large multi-phase new product development projects that require advanced R&D and project management skills.
• Innovate and implement industry-leading technologies to solve identified challenges within a problem statement that can be incorporated into assigned products and/or processes.
• Demonstrate sound fundamental technical proficiency in own competence area.
• Emphasis on critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving.
• Lead the peer team in creating new and innovative solutions that exceed the performance of current technologies.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial innovative spirit to R&D projects with own unique and creative ideas.
• Propose follow-up projects and activities within own technical area based on new ideas.
• Demonstrate sound understanding of, and actively apply, R&D processes and tools.
• Examples include sound communication capabilities, advanced project management processes, use of 2D and 3D CAD tools, advanced understanding of FEA, and awareness of industry standards applicable to area of expertise.
• Actively teach own technical/scientific knowledge to less skilled colleagues in applying processes and tools to ensure timely and high-quality results.
• Show solid documentation skills and write technical reports independently.
• Proactively seek to identify opportunities for new or advanced technologies that could be used for product enhancements or new product needs based on problem definition and project scopes.
• Initiate business review of new technology ideas with business team members.
• Serve as the organization's principal technical expert for mechanical design, analysis, and engineering problem solving.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple product lines, development programs, and engineering disciplines.
• Mentor engineers at all levels, helping to elevate technical capabilities throughout the organization.
• Lead the resolution of the most challenging engineering and design issues.
• Drive innovation through the creation of new technologies, product concepts, and intellectual property.
• Conduct and oversee advanced analytical evaluations, including structural, thermal, fatigue, and nonlinear FEA studies.
• Establish engineering best practices, design methodologies, and analytical standards.
• Review and approve critical engineering analyses, designs, and technical recommendations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, product management, testing, and research organizations to ensure successful product development.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, materials, analytical methods, and industry best practices.

What This Job Offers

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