Principal Engineer - Mechanical, Induction & Synchronous Motors

About the Role

The Principal Engineer - Mechanical, Induction & Synchronous Motors provides senior-level mechanical engineering leadership for the design, analysis, verification, validation, implementation, and production support of induction and synchronous motors.

Working with general direction from senior engineering staff or Engineering management, this role independently resolves complex technical challenges, leads product and process improvement initiatives, and provides technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and designers. The Principal Engineer supports new and existing products throughout the entire product lifecycle, from proposals and design development through manufacturing, testing, installation, commissioning, and field service.Key Responsibilities

• Mechanical Design and Development: Lead the mechanical design and development of induction and synchronous motors using established design practices, CAD/PDM systems, engineering standards, and configuration-control processes.
• Engineering Analysis: Perform and review mechanical calculations and analyses involving structures, rotor dynamics, shafting, bearings, frames, end brackets, cooling systems, fits and tolerances, bolted joints, material selection, thermal growth, vibration, and other motor mechanical systems.
• Simulation and Design Verification: Use closed-form calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), rotor dynamics tools, and other simulation methods to verify designs. Develop and maintain calculation tools and design methods for broader engineering use.
• Customer Requirements and Applications: Translate customer specifications and application requirements into technically sound, manufacturable, testable, and cost-effective motor designs.
• Sales and Proposal Support: Provide technical input to Sales and Applications Engineering for proposals and negotiations involving standard and non-standard induction and synchronous motor products.
• Design Review and Documentation: Review and approve manufacturing drawings, models, bills of material, specifications, repair instructions, test requirements, and other documentation required to manufacture, test, install, commission, and service motors.
• Manufacturing and Field Support: Resolve technical questions, evaluate deviations, and develop practical engineering solutions to support factory operations and field service activities.
• Nonconformance and Root Cause Analysis: Lead the mechanical disposition of nonconformances and engineering responses to root-cause investigations and corrective actions. Ensure solutions maintain safety, performance, reliability, and compliance requirements.
• Testing and Validation: Plan and support design verification and validation activities, including prototype builds, mechanical inspections, vibration testing, overspeed or balance-related evaluations, and test data reviews.
• Project Planning and Execution: Assess project feasibility, technical risks, costs, schedules, and resource requirements. Prepare schedules for assigned work and provide timely, accurate status updates and risk reporting.
• Schedule and Quality Performance: Execute assignments according to order and project schedules, emphasizing 100% on-time completion, quality, and clear documentation. Coordinate and monitor work assigned to junior engineers and designers.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead product improvement, standardization, design reuse, productivity, cost reduction, manufacturability, quality, and cycle-time reduction initiatives.
• Engineering Standards and Best Practices: Develop and improve mechanical design guidelines, engineering standards, lessons learned, templates, and technical documentation based on product experience and engineering analysis.
• Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Review the work of less-experienced engineers and designers while providing technical direction, coaching, and mentorship.
• Technical Communication: Prepare engineering reports, technical presentations, customer responses, and supporting documentation that may be distributed outside the company.
• New Product Development: Support new product development by preparing specifications, designing and evaluating prototypes, defining validation plans, reviewing test results, and completing product release documentation.
• Standards and Compliance: Review product compliance with company standards, customer requirements, and applicable industry codes and standards.
• External Technical Representation: Represent the company in technical discussions with customers, suppliers, service organizations, and industry groups as assigned.
• Knowledge Sharing and Innovation: Contribute to technical papers, intellectual property disclosures, and knowledge-sharing activities.
• Perform other duties as required to meet business and organizational needs.

Scope, Purpose, and Frequency of Contacts

This position requires frequent coordination with Engineering, Sales and Marketing, Project Management, Factory Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Test, Service, Accounting, suppliers, and customers.

The Principal Engineer may serve as the mechanical technical lead for assigned motor orders, product development projects, corrective actions, and product improvement initiatives.Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited four-year college or university required; master's degree preferred.
• 10-15 years of related mechanical engineering experience, preferably involving large rotating electrical equipment, induction motors, synchronous motors, generators, or comparable industrial equipment.
• 10-15 years of experience using relevant CAD, PDM/PLM, engineering calculation, and/or simulation software.
• Experience performing structural FEA and mechanical analysis; experience with ANSYS or equivalent software preferred.
• Experience with rotor dynamics, shaft, bearing, balance, and vibration analysis; experience with DyRoBeS or equivalent software preferred.
• Experience applying relevant motor and rotating-equipment standards, including applicable NEMA, IEEE, IEC, and API requirements, preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, testing, field service, nonconformance disposition, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions for engineered products.
• Experience writing technical reports, specifications, procedures, or papers and presenting technical information to internal and external audiences.
• Professional Engineer license or other relevant professional certification preferred.

Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles, engineering materials, manufacturing processes, fits and tolerances, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and design for manufacturability.
• Working knowledge of large motor mechanical systems, including shafts, rotors, bearings, frames, end brackets, cooling and ventilation components, lubrication systems, seals, foundations, and structural interfaces.
• Ability to analyze vibration, stress, deflection, fatigue, critical speed, thermal growth, and mechanical integrity using appropriate engineering methods.
• Ability to read and interpret customer specifications, manufacturing drawings, repair specifications, test results, standards, operating and maintenance instructions, and technical literature.
• Ability to define complex problems, collect and evaluate data, establish facts, assess alternatives, and draw valid engineering conclusions.
• Ability to prepare clear engineering reports, technical correspondence, specifications, and design documentation.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with employees, customers, suppliers, regulatory representatives, and senior management.
• Working knowledge of statistical tools and structured problem-solving methods.
• Strong ownership, sound judgment, attention to detail, bias for action, and commitment to continuous learning and practical application.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations

Certifications, licenses, or registrations may be required based on job responsibilities, education, and customer-specific requirements. A Professional Engineer license or other relevant professional certification is preferred.
Language and Communication Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret manufacturing drawings, repair specifications, test results, and technical journals.
• Ability to respond effectively to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, and members of the business community.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior management, customers, trade associations, and other external groups.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts, including exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to tasks involving frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities

• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions provided in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to identify solutions to problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to independently evaluate complex technical challenges and exercise sound engineering judgment.

Supervision and Work Expectations

General supervision is provided. The Principal Engineer is expected to be a self-starter who works effectively, takes ownership of assigned projects, and manages responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Regularly stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Frequently climb or balance.
• Occasionally sit.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
• Required vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of the position.

• Regular exposure to vibration.
• Frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts and the risk of electrical shock.
• Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, and extreme heat.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.