Principal Mechanical Engineer

Wilder Systems is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to be responsible for turning design requirements into viable products. Specific tasks include R&D design, mentoring engineers, defining design strategies, and ensuring compliance with standards. The ideal candidate has a strong background in mechanical design, enjoys mentorship, and brings experience in robotics for aerospace. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership: Lead and influence the company's engineering strategy, aligning it with long-term business goals. Technical Vision: Define and communicate the company's technical vision, guiding the direction of advanced projects and R&D efforts. Mentorship and Training: Mentor and train senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence. Innovation and Research: Drive research and development efforts, exploring cutting‑edge technologies and methodologies to maintain the company's competitive edge. Technical Governance: Establish and maintain engineering standards, best practices, and quality assurance processes. Project Ownership: Assumes responsibility for delivering high quality products critical to business success. Required Guidance: Serves as a critical source of guidance and expertise for the engineering team, actively contributing to knowledge sharing, and providing direction on complex technical challenges. Customer Support: Responsible for customer relationships, interacts with customers to solicit directional information, investigate new technical challenges and work with customers around new initiatives. General Requirements Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or similar field Willingness to lead and mentor junior engineers 10 or more years of professional experience in mechanical engineering or a related field Strong communication, organizational, time management, leadership, and decision‑making skills Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings and have an expert understanding of basic electrical and mechanical control systems Works well in high‑pressure situations, during tight deadlines, and in front of customers US Citizen or Permanent Resident Able to travel occasionally Required Experience Working knowledge of best practices for tooling fixture design Advanced Proficiency in CAD software, SolidWorks preferred Part drawing generation and attention to detail Advanced proficiency in GD&T and Design for Manufacturing techniques Demonstrated experience mentoring design teams Expert level of basic machinery design – includes design process, engineering mechanics and materials, failure prevention, and characteristics of the principal types of mechanical elements Knowledge of design for manufacturing and assembly best practices Preferred Experience 6+ years of experience working directly with aerospace automation 6+ years of experience designing aerospace tooling Broad knowledge of automation hardware (drive trains, actuators, guides, etc.) Automation and robotic work experience Finite Element Analysis Background knowledge of CATIA Product Data Management Software Generating Bills of Material About Wilder Systems Wilder Systems designs, manufactures, and installs robotic systems for industrial manufacturing applications in the aerospace industry. Our tools are used in direct manufacturing and maintenance of aerospace structures. We have a dynamic, talented, and collaborative engineering team and want those who are energized by solving our customers’ toughest problems. Compensation $155,000-$200,000 Base Benefits 401(k) 401(k) matching Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance PTO Schedule 8-hour shift with an expectation of overtime when required #J-18808-Ljbffr