Leonardo DRS

Principal Product Engineer

Leonardo DRS$108K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; 10+ years relevant experience
  • Mastery of engineering technologies with expertise in complex system design
  • Broad technical knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines
  • Experience in complete product development lifecycle from design to sustainment
  • Strong communication skills for interacting with customers and cross-functional teams
  • Proven experience in leading technical proposals in competitive environments
  • Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability and Design for Testability methodologies

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the subject matter expert for production-related engineering issues
  • Lead effective communication across various functional teams
  • Shape complex proposals, adding technical credibility
  • Flexibly partner with teams to drive technical problem-solving
  • Mentor junior engineers to enhance team capabilities
  • Guide technical teams to achieve program objectives
  • Support all phases of testing and qualification to ensure compliance
  • Manage product transition into production, including readiness factors
  • Conduct root cause investigations and manage corrective actions
  • Oversee engineering changes and obsolescence management
  • Represent product objectives in cross-departmental discussions
  • Partner with various departments to resolve technical concerns
  • Assist with product retirement according to requirements
  • Promote the organization's mission and culture in daily work

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Company contribution to a health savings account
  • Telemedicine options and life/disability insurance
  • Legal insurance and 401(k) savings plan
  • Wellness programs focusing on overall well-being
  • Flexible work schedules through a 9/80 program
  • Generous vacation, health/emergency leave, and paid parental leave
  • Community service hours for employee engagement
Full Job Description
Job ID: 114864

The Leonardo DRS Land Electronics business provides C4I Network computing and integrated situational awareness, as well as state-of-the-art embedded diagnostics, vehicle power management and combat vehicle integration products and services.

Role Details
• Location: Huntsville, AL
• Career Functional Area: Engineering
• Telework Type: Onsite
• Relocation Available: Yes
• Type: Full-time Employee
• Schedule: 9/80
• Shift: 1st

Job Summary

As a Principal Product Engineer, you'll be the technical anchor for one of our most demanding projects, moving fluidly between electrical design, system integration, qualification, and production floor support while owning engineering execution from concept through delivery and sustainment. You'll participate in complex product development across the lifecycle, from requirements, architecture, design implementation, and verification through production transition, field support, and obsolescence management, all while keeping cost, schedule, and design intent locked in alignment. This is a role built for someone who's done the time in the trenches and is ready to lead from the front, guiding engineers through hard calls, partnering across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, program management, and customers, and shaping not just a product, but the people and process behind it.

Essential Functions

  • Serve as the go-to subject matter expert when engineering meets the production floor, resolving build, test, and process issues in real time to keep lines running.
  • Lead clear, confident communication across manufacturing, supply chain, program management, quality, and the customer.
  • Shape high-stakes proposals, bringing technical credibility to the pursuit of new and complex work.
  • Flex across design and production priorities as needed, partnering with management, engineers, technicians, and support staff to solve problems and keep programs moving.
  • Mentor less experienced engineers, building bench strength and technical depth across the team.
  • Guide technical teams in meeting program objectives, providing direction on analysis, documentation, test support, and risk reduction activities.
  • Support qualification testing, conformance inspection, design verification, and formal validation efforts to ensure product readiness and compliance.
  • Drive product transition into production in partnership with NPI, Manufacturing, Assembly and Test, and Operations teams, including support for LRIP and FRP readiness.
  • Lead root cause investigations, failure analysis, Failure Review Board activities, and corrective actions for product, supplier, and field issues.
  • Manage engineering changes, obsolescence analysis, alternate part identification, and redesign efforts required to maintain product performance and continuity of supply.
  • Represent product engineering objectives and status in engineering, customer, and business meetings, acting as a trusted technical voice with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Partner with Program Management, Contracts, Supply Chain, and Quality Assurance to resolve customer issues, RMA-related matters, and supplier technical concerns.
  • Support product retirement and disposal activities in accordance with program and regulatory requirements.
  • Reinforce the organization's mission, values, and culture in all aspects of work.


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science (or higher) in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Demonstrated mastery of core engineering technologies and domain expertise relevant to complex system design, product development, and defense-related environments.
  • Broad technical range across multiple engineering disciplines with the ability to independently lead technical teams and direct the work of other engineers as required.
  • Experience with product development across analysis, design, integration, test, qualification, production transition, and sustainment.
  • Strong track record of communicating clearly and persuasively with customers, program management, suppliers, and cross-functional partners.
  • Experience contributing to or leading complex technical proposals in a competitive environment.
  • Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturability, Design for Testability, and Design for Excellence methodologies


Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience in a formal or informal engineering leadership role on defense or aerospace programs.
  • Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, customer specifications, and program reviews.
  • Experience mentoring or developing junior and mid-level engineers.
  • Experience supporting supplier selection, component evaluation, and external technical services.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

About Leonardo DRS

Leonardo DRS is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. Focused on defense technology, we develop, manufacture and support a broad range of systems for mission critical and military sustainment requirements, as well as homeland security. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leonardo S.p.A. which employs more than 45,000 people worldwide. We offer a competitive compensation package and a business culture that rewards performance. For additional information on Leonardo DRS, please visit our website at www.leonardodrs.com.
Learn more about Leonardo DRS
Size
11,000 employees
Market Cap
$3.1 billion
Industry
Founded
1968
5 Year Trend
+55.7%
NASDAQ

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