Principal Manufacturing Technologist

Position Information

Business Unit & Department

Sensor Hardware

Operations

Reports To: VP/GM Sensor Hardware

Operating Requirements

Location: On-Site

Travel: Up to 25%

FLSA

Full Time

Exempt

Job Category

Professionals

Schedule

Monday-Friday with on-call/night/weekend availability as determined by business conditions.

Job Summary

Role Purpose

This role leads the design for manufacturability cycle, providing guidance, oversight, and SME contributions on advanced manufacturing techniques and CNC programming technologies across the Sensor Hardware Business Unit.

Scope of Responsibility

This role serves as a technical subject matter expert and consults on technical requirements, obstacles, and solutions. This role does not have direct reports or formal sign-off authority; influence is exercised through technical judgment, track record, and the ability to build consensus across key stakeholders. This role will be measured through manufacturing capability improvements as a direct result of technical direction, even though execution runs through program ownership teams.

Essential Job Functions

• Own machining strategy and the technology roadmap for the Sensor Hardware BU (CNC programming standards, tooling/workholding strategy, machine capability planning); final roadmap subject to approval.
• Evaluate and lead implementation of emerging manufacturing technologies (automation, in-process probing, adaptive machining, advanced inspection) across BU sites.
• Serve as the primary technical escalation point for machining and advanced manufacturing issues across all Sensor Hardware sites; own the technical resolution path.
• Lead root cause investigations into the BU's most complex manufacturing challenges.
• Where a technical issue affects product design or conformance standards, drive the issue to a documented joint decision with Engineering and Quality; sole technical authority does not extend into product/conformance determinations owned by those functions.
• Lead high-impact manufacturing improvement initiatives end-to-end, including new process development and cross-site technology deployment.
• Own the technical recommendation and business case for capital equipment; final financial approval remains with GM/Finance per standard capital thresholds.
• Mentor engineers and programmers on advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management to advance manufacturing capability BU-wide.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Work Environment

Hybrid Office / Industrial

Team Members may be exposed to physical, environmental, or chemical hazards during the course of their employment. All Team Members receive comprehensive safety training, are provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and are expected to always follow the established safety protocols.

Physical Requirements

• Repetitive motions (e.g. typing)
• Communicating (verbal/written)
• Operating equipment or tools
• Positioning self (bend, kneel, reach)
• Up to 50 lbs
• 25%+ local motility

Sensory Requirements

• Detailed visual work required
• Phone or virtual communication required
• No specific tactile requirements
• No smell requirements

Driving Requirements

Driving Frequency: No driving requirements.

Driving Requirements: N/A
•Annual MVR compliance
•Vitesse insurance inclusion

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field required; OR equivalent combination of education and demonstrated technical experience (typically 12+ years in progressively senior manufacturing technology roles) in lieu of degree.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in advanced machining.
• Minimum 10 years of experience owning CNC programming standards, CAM software, and machining methodology.
• Demonstrated experience with proven success of owning and executing technical roadmaps, leading cross-site/functional technical projects, and successful ownership of technical escalation.
• Prior experience operating with significant autonomy and technical decision authority, ideally evidenced by prior title/scope (e.g., Staff, Principal, or equivalent IC track) strongly preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide appropriate documentation establishing identity and employment eligibility as required by applicable law.
• Must qualify as a "U.S." Persons as defined in 22 CFR § 120.62 under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) in order to comply with applicable export control laws and regulations.
• Must be able to successfully complete a drug screening in accordance with the Company's drug testing policy and applicable law.
• Must be able to successfully complete a criminal background check in accordance with the Company's screening policy and applicable law.