Principal Electrical Engineer

JTEKT North America

$110K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field required; Master's preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in automotive electromechanical systems development, especially in safety-critical products.
  • Proven track record of leading complex product development from concept to production.
  • Familiarity with engineering risk assessment and structured problem-solving methods (FMEA, FTA, etc.).
  • Proficient in automotive development tools like MATLAB/Simulink and HIL systems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead engineering programs by setting project goals and managing cross-functional teams.
  • Act as the technical authority for system integration and control system development.
  • Conduct technical reviews and recommend improvements for product quality and performance.
  • Define verification and validation activities to ensure rigorous product development.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to resolve production challenges.
  • Provide hands-on technical support during integration and validation processes.
  • Build and maintain strong internal and external customer relationships.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Optical coverage.
  • Supplementary Insurance options available.
  • Optional benefits including pet insurance and mental health services.
  • 401(k) with employer match.
  • Contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
  • Success sharing program.
  • Generous paid time-off policy.
  • Educational reimbursement for further professional development.
Full Job Description
Summary:

In this role, you will report to the Electrical Engineering Manager and serve as a principal technical and project lead for development of electromechanical chassis systems, including steering and driveline products. This position requires a strong understanding of overall software and hardware development processes, practical experience with embedded systems and test environments, and the ability to provide hands-on technical support when needed.

This is a principal role for an engineer who can align project goals, technical tasks, and development resources while also contributing directly to problem solving, testing, and system integration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Lead complex engineering programs by defining project objectives, managing risks and resources, and coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve customer and business goals.
  • Serve as the technical authority for software, electronic hardware, system integration, and control system development, providing guidance on architecture, requirements, technical reviews, and issue resolution.
  • Lead technical reviews of requirements, specifications, interfaces, drawings, validation plans, and test results, providing recommendations to improve product performance, quality, manufacturability, and development efficiency.
  • Define and lead verification and validation activities, including planning, traceability, test coverage, and the development of calibration, diagnostic, communication, and test tools to support efficient product development and issue resolution.
  • Support product launch and production by partnering with manufacturing, quality, and supplier management teams to resolve production issues, implement corrective actions, and improve quality, yield, and process robustness.
  • Lead and contribute to critical technical activities across product development, integration, validation, and production support, providing hands-on expertise in problem solving, technical reviews, and issue resolution when required.
  • Work additional hours, including weekends, when directed by the immediate supervisor or when necessary to complete essential job duties.
  • Develop and maintain responsive, cooperative relationships with internal and external customers while treating others with dignity, trust, and respect.


Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but includes project leadership, technical leadership, mentoring, and coordination of cross-functional engineering activities.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Strong understanding of electromechanical systems, embedded controls, electrical architectures, vehicle networks, diagnostics, and system integration.
  • Strong understanding of automotive software and hardware development processes, including requirements management, model-based development, verification and validation, configuration management, and V-cycle development.
  • Ability to apply control theory, system modeling, signal analysis, and closed-loop control principles to system design, performance evaluation, and problem solving.
  • Working knowledge of HIL, dynamometer, laboratory, and vehicle test environments, including system integration, instrumentation, test automation, and data acquisition.
  • Working knowledge of automotive communication protocols and development tools, including CAN/CAN FD, diagnostics, calibration, and measurement systems.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.

Benefits:
  • Medical, Dental, Optical
  • Supplementary Insurance
  • Optional Benefits (pet insurance, legal consultation, cyber security, retirement support, mental health services, etc.)
  • 401K (With match)
  • HSA contribution
  • Success Sharing
  • Paid Time-Off
  • Educational Reimbursement

Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience developing automotive electromechanical systems, preferably steering, braking, chassis, driveline, or other safety-critical products.
  • Experience leading complex product development programs from concept through production launch and field support.
  • Experience with engineering risk assessment and structured problem-solving methodologies, including FMEA, FTA, 8D, and root-cause investigation.
  • Experience using automotive development and validation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer/CANape, HIL platforms, calibration tools, and data acquisition systems.
  • Experience supporting product launch and manufacturing operations, including troubleshooting production issues and implementing corrective actions.
  • Experience with functional safety and automotive development processes, including ISO 26262, ASPICE, CMMI, or equivalent methodologies, preferred.
  • Experience applying automation, data analytics, machine learning, or AI-based tools to improve engineering productivity, testing efficiency, or decision-making is a plus.


Work Environment:
  • Work is mostly performed in a normal office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards, and with substantial time spent working on a computer.
  • Performing this position may occasionally require exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection.
  • Travel by automobile and plane required approximately 5-10% of time.

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