Principal Mechanical Engineer

2 weeks ago

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States Wilcox Industries Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

Wilcox develops innovative, world class electro-mechanical combat systems for today's warfighters and law enforcement officers. The Principal Mechanical Engineer at Wilcox is a recognized technical leader responsible for driving complex mechanical design efforts across multiple programs. Serving as the primary technical authority on significant design initiatives, the Principal Engineer brings deep expertise in mechanical engineering principles, robust hands-on design and analysis capabilities, and the ability to mentor and lead engineering teams without direct managerial responsibility. This role provides a critical bridge between engineering execution and strategic direction and ensures delivery of rugged, reliable, and innovative solutions in support of Wilcox's mission to serve warfighters and law enforcement officers with excellence.

Roles & Responsibilities
  • Serves as the technical lead on large-scale engineering efforts, driving concept through final design, validation, and production readiness.
  • Leads the mechanical design and development of complex electro-mechanical systems, ensuring alignment with performance, reliability, and manufacturability objectives.
  • Provides expert-level guidance and reviews of mechanical designs, analyses (thermal, stress, modal), and manufacturing documentation.
  • Partners with Program Managers, Electrical/Systems Engineers, and Manufacturing personnel to integrate multi-disciplinary designs into cohesive product solutions.
  • Interfaces directly with and receives design feedback from manufacturing engineers, machinists, and other key members of operations throughout the product development process.
  • Supports root cause investigations and implements design solutions for product performance or manufacturing issues.
  • Develops and maintains design best practices, standards, and processes within the mechanical engineering department.
  • Proactively identifies technical risks in the program risk log and FMEA documentation, and recommends mitigation strategies.
  • Collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve design processes and facilitate cross-pollination of innovation and lessons learned.
  • Mentors Senior and Junior Engineers, providing technical coaching and feedback to enhance skill development and technical rigor.
  • Fosters a collaborative environment, helping to raise the technical skill of the team.
  • Participates in proposal efforts, supporting mechanical scope definition, work breakdown structures, and estimation of engineering labor.
  • Leads or contributes significantly to design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and presents to internal stakeholders and customers.
  • Demonstrates the ability to receive and act on constructive feedback.
  • Authors and reviews documentation including drawings, design changes, analysis reports, technical memos, test reports, critical design decisions, and user documentation for future reference and traceability.
  • Demonstrates interpersonal tact when working with others.
  • Understands that it is critical to act as a united team during external meetings and demonstrates that understanding.
  • Leads small team of engineers, assigning tasks and overseeing work quality.
  • Assists in the preparation of prototypes, models, and specifications for mechanical systems and components.
  • Conducts hands-on testing in laboratory or field settings to evaluate the performance, durability, and functionality of mechanical systems, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and specifications.
  • Ensures manufacturability and cost-effectiveness in the mechanical design process.
  • Tracks project progress for mechanical engineering tasks, regularly prepares reports, and ensures that deadlines are met.
  • Presents designs, results, and reports to senior level management and/or external parties.
  • Stays up to date with the latest mechanical engineering trends, tools, and technologies, and incorporates them into the team's design and development processes with management support.
  • Performs other duties as directed.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline (Mechanical, Manufacturing).
  • 12+ years of Mechanical Engineering experience with increasing levels of responsibility, including experience in leading complex technical projects.
  • Demonstrated experience in design for ruggedized, electro-mechanical military or aerospace systems.
Required Skills/Abilities:
  • Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D modeling and mechanical drawing.
  • Ability to work on complex mechanical design projects with little to no supervision.
  • Strong understanding of GD&T, materials selection, and DFM principles.
  • Ability to conduct and interpret engineering analyses such as stress, thermal, and linear dynamics simulations.
  • Familiarity with testing and qualification to military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461).
  • Demonstrated understanding of mechanical systems, materials, thermodynamics, and manufacturing processes.
  • Hands-on experience with prototype fabrication and testing.
  • Proven leadership in technical decision-making and design ownership.
  • Efficiently self-manages tasks in a fast-paced environment for multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skill.
  • Strong motivational skills to drive self and team to meet goals and objectives of programs.
  • Ability to mentor junior and senior-level engineers in technical development.
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to interact with customers, suppliers, and other external personnel.
  • Must be able to maintain composure in dealing with executives, and staff, occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations.
  • Strong understanding of the product development process.
  • Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
  • Detail-oriented with a focus on delivering high-quality work.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.
  • Wilcox is a U.S government defense contractor, and this position requires access to export-controlled technology. Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access U.S. government-controlled technology prior to beginning work.
  • U.S citizenship is required for this position.
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
  • 15+ years of Mechanical Engineering experience.
  • Master's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline.
  • Expertise in mechanical analysis techniques and FEA (thermal, stress, vibration).
  • Experience with laser systems, night vision/imaging systems, or target location systems.
  • Familiarity with U.S Department of Defense contracts and requirements.
Physical Requirements:
  • Regular on-site attendance is a necessary function of this position. 
  • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear; use hands and fingers to handle and touch objects, tools, or controls to work in a production environment. Vision abilities required including close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus to work. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times.
  • Ability to perform physical tests and handle tools/equipment used for prototyping.
  • Regular on-site attendance is a necessary function of this position. 
Wilcox provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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