Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

Location: Pawcatuck, CT, US, 06379 Work Arrangement: Hybrid As the company's designated Technical Authority, the Chief Engineer of Waukesha Magnetic Bearings is responsible for the technical integrity, reliability, and performance of our Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB) products. This pivotal role ensures that all designs and analyses meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal procedures, delivering safe and commercially viable engineering solutions. Beyond technical oversight, the Chief Engineer sets the strategic direction for product applications and leads the development of innovative solutions to meet complex customer needs. By leveraging expert product knowledge, they support marketing and program management initiatives while representing the company's interests in a leadership capacity within global industrial and standards organisations.

What You'll Bring: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related subject (Essential), PhD – (Preferred). Significant experience in the design and manufacture of Active Magnetic Bearing systems – (Essential). This must be from either working directly at an AMB manufacturer, or an OEM that integrates them. Minimum of 15 years' experience in the design and analysis of rotating equipment (or critical components such as bearings and seals), including 10+ years in Senior or Principal Engineer roles. Strong application of engineering principles and robust design practices. Recognised technical expert with a deep understanding of product failure modes and proven problem-solving skills. Comprehensive understanding of relevant industry standards and their specific application to the product. Active experience participating in industry standards committees and technical working groups. Advanced Engineering Analysis & Software: Proven expertise in vibration analysis, FEA stress analysis, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), complemented by advanced scientific programming skills and a working knowledge of 2D/3D CAD. Mathematical & Theoretical Foundation: Ability to apply complex mathematical concepts, including probability and statistical inference, structural and fluid dynamics, and the fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Technical Judgment & Problem Solving: Authoritative decision-making with the ability to challenge designs constructively. Skilled at solving practical problems with complex variables in non-standardized environments, including interpreting instructions from oral, written, diagrammatic, or schedule-based sources. Research, Compliance & Communication: Expert ability to analyze professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Capable of translating technical data (drawings, graphs, tables) into manual and final reports, with the communication skills to persuade leadership and present effectively to diverse technical and management groups.

What You'll Do: Technical Authority: Act as the final technical authority for product designs, analyses, and critical engineering decisions. Standards & Governance: Define, maintain, and enforce engineering standards, design rules, and industry best practices across the department. Design Integrity: Lead and approve critical design reviews and failure investigations to ensure products meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements. Advanced Analysis: Perform and guide sophisticated engineering analyses, including rotor dynamics, stress analysis, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Strategic Innovation: Identify and lead strategic initiatives that sustain best-in-class product leadership and align with corporate growth objectives. New Technology Development: Direct the implementation of new technologies and software, ensuring they are commercially viable and technically robust. Business Development: Provide high-level technical input for bids and proposals, identifying advanced applications that create new market opportunities. Operational Partnership: Partner with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure all designs are robust and highly producible. Mentorship & Growth: Mentor the engineering team by identifying skill gaps and executing development plans to build future technical leaders. Customer & Industry Advocacy: Support senior-level customer engagements and represent the company's interests within global industrial and standards organisations. Thought Leadership: Stay at the forefront of industry trends; author technical papers and present at key conferences to reinforce the company's technical standing