Principal Engineer

What Makes a Honda, is Who makes a Honda

Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it’s a joyful one.  We are looking for individuals with the skills, courage, persistence, and dreams that will help us reach our future-focused goals. 

At our core is innovation. Honda is constantly innovating and developing solutions to drive our business with record success.  We strive to be a company that serves as a source of “power” that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative and that helps people expand their own potential. To this end, Honda strives to realize “the joy and freedom of mobility” by developing new technologies and an innovative approach to achieve a “zero environmental footprint.”

We are looking for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, continuous improvement values, and a strong work ethic to join our team.

If your goals and values align with Honda’s, we want you to join our team to Bring the Future

Location

Raymond, Ohio

Job Purpose

As a Career Level 5, Principal Materials Engineer, the associate works with and/or may lead a diverse materials research team in coordinating/performing a full range of materials research, R-Theme project and work request activities relevant to departmental and organizational needs including Technical Pre-Investigation (TPI) in area of specialty, R-Theme project management, complex failure analysis testing and test development/execution support.  As a technical expert, the associate conducts review and initial sign off on all test results in area of technical specialty.  May act as Project Leader (PL), Assistant Large Project Leader (ALPL) or Large Project Leader (LPL) for assigned research projects.  May act as PL or PIC for assigned development projects.  May coordinate/oversee the work of technical contractors.  Work assignments are performed within defined latitude for independent judgment, problem solving and decision making as well as defined parameters for accuracy, quality, efficiency and compliance with time schedules and applicable policies, procedures and regulations. Specific technical focus areas for the Materials Organics Group may include exterior trim and/or semi-structural resin parts; interior trim and coverings, and elastomeric-based chassis materials.

Key Accountabilities

• Applies engineering principles/experiences and extensive knowledge and understanding of Honda vehicle designs/functionality to ensure new material technology sensing in area of specialty is comprehensively conducted using various methods of investigation including on-line investigation, networking with local and overseas colleagues, and collaborating with material and part suppliers to gather/analyze technological data, determine feasibility, and present findings to technical management.
• May act as Large Project Leader (LPL), Assistant Large Project Leader (ALPL) or Project Leader (PL) for assigned research projects, creating/managing project resources, overseeing/maintaining overall project schedule/budget/direction/progress including coordinating project targets with management, managing project work output of PLs and PICs, creating/updating material specifications and providing assistance or mentoring to PLs and PICs to ensure project quality/cost/specification targets are met.
• Creates thorough development and research plans, communicates direction to technical management as well as to other related function areas (design, test, purchasing, etc.), conducts checks/reviews for technical specifications, and prepares material strategies in consideration of global and regional priorities
• May act as department PL for assigned development models, either of significant derivative scope such as comprehensive regulation changes or significant styling/marketability updates or Full Model Change, participating in project team meetings, coordinating project resources to meet deadlines, initiating/proposing technical collaboration and negotiating strategically to gain acceptance of countermeasures to proposed design modifications.
• As PIC for assigned research and development projects, leads and/or conduct project testing & evaluation of design parts/manufacturing processes through activities including planning/executing tests, conducting failure analysis, analyzing test results, creating/revising material specifications, interfacing with design engineers to propose design changes/recommend countermeasures to ensure parts meet design specifications, and creating/presenting final reports to technical management.
• Leads new supplier qualification activities, directing activities including interfacing with laboratories selected to support project research, development, and/or testing to ensure new materials/parts quality standards are met and required documents such as confidentiality agreements/PRs are created/processed.
• Expands technical capability, provides ideas to improve efficiency at all levels of group/department and participates in strategic planning.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline (e.g. Materials Science/Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering)
• 8+ years of experience with BS or MS
• Mastery of skills and techniques in area of expertise.  Working knowledge of functions related to areas of expertise
• Strong knowledge of HRA design processes and standards; strong skills in interpreting design drawings/layouts
• Strong interpersonal, communication, technical mentoring, and relationship building skills
• Excellent project management and process improvement skills
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Workstyle

• Travel: 1-2 times/month or more depending on project needs; includes possible international travel
• Physical: primarily works in test lab; frequent keyboarding; frequent kneeling, standing, reaching, squatting, bending, pushing, and lifting; Ability to push and/or lift 20-50lbs.            
• Hazards: may work with explosives/flammables, toxic chemicals, pressurized equipment; moving parts; high voltage; may be exposed to extreme cold, heat & humidity during testing & other hazards related to mat'l testing
• Overtime: overtime expected based on project demands/responsibilities                

Benefits and Total Rewards

What differentiates Honda and make us an employer of choice?

 
Total Rewards:

• Competitive base salary
• Overtime compensation
• Annual Bonus
• Associate lease car program with a cost
• Industry leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, sick time, personal days
• 401K Plan with company match + additional contribution
• Relocation assistance (if eligible)

 
Career Growth:

• Advancement opportunities
• Career mobility 
• Education reimbursement for continued learning
• Training and Development programs
   

Additional Offerings:

• Wellbeing program
• Community service and engagement programs
• Product programs
• Free drinks onsite

Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.