Associate Principal Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Based on-site at the Lompoc, California manufacturing site.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Associate Principal Engineer is the technical expert for mechanical and electro-mechanical engineering at the assigned manufacturing site. This hands-on role is responsible for solving complex manufacturing and product problems, improving electro-mechanical assembly processes, and advancing equipment, automation, reliability, and overall manufacturing performance.

Working closely with Operations, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, Maintenance, suppliers, and other engineering teams, the Associate Principal Engineer leads technical problem solving from immediate production-floor troubleshooting through root-cause analysis and implementation of sustainable solutions. The role provides technical leadership through engineering expertise, data-driven decision making, coaching, and influence rather than direct people management.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the site senior technical authority for mechanical and electro-mechanical engineering, with technical ownership of applicable assembly processes, equipment, fixtures, tooling, test systems, and manufacturing methods.
• Provide technical expertise for electro-mechanical products and assembly technologies, including motors, actuators, sensors, harnesses, bonding/joining processes, mechanical assemblies, and functional testing.
• Lead complex product, process, equipment, and manufacturing investigations from production-floor troubleshooting through root-cause analysis, containment, corrective action, and implementation of sustainable solutions.
• Apply structured problem-solving and statistical methods, including 8D, A3, DMAIC, FMEA, SPC, capability analysis, GR&R, and Design of Experiments, to identify root causes, reduce variation, and validate solutions.
• Partner with R&D and manufacturing teams on new and sustaining product development, translating product requirements into robust, manufacturable processes from concept through production implementation.
• Lead manufacturing and process improvements focused on throughput, yield, OEE, equipment reliability, productivity, scrap, rework, cycle time, quality, and manufacturing cost using appropriate Lean, Six Sigma, automation, and error-proofing techniques.
• Provide technical expertise for manufacturing equipment and industrial automation, including PLCs, servo systems, pneumatics, sensors, vision systems, and automated test systems, and identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, performance, and automation.
• Lead technical aspects of equipment, manufacturing, and capital improvement projects, including specification, business case development, supplier evaluation, installation, commissioning, qualification, production readiness, and tracking of expected benefits.
• Develop and improve test methods, manufacturing standards, fixtures, tooling, and engineering practices that improve quality, repeatability, efficiency, and manufacturing performance.
• Lead cross-functional technical teams and rapid-response efforts when issues affect production, quality, cost, or delivery, working effectively across Operations, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, Maintenance, suppliers, and other engineering teams.
• Ensure accurate and controlled technical documentation is generated and maintained in accordance with applicable engineering, quality, and company requirements.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineers and technicians through troubleshooting, technical reviews, project work, and hands-on coaching, strengthening the broader team’s technical problem-solving capability.
• Communicate complex technical issues, root causes, options, and recommendations effectively across all levels of the organization and with equipment manufacturers, automation integrators, suppliers, customers, and external technical partners.
• Maintain a strong production-floor presence to observe processes, troubleshoot problems, support trials, work directly with manufacturing equipment, and drive implementation of engineering improvements.

 

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Deep practical knowledge of electro-mechanical products, assemblies, manufacturing processes, equipment, and troubleshooting.
• Strong experience with motors, actuators, sensors, harnessing, mechanical assemblies, bonding/joining processes, fixtures, tooling, functional testing, and industrial automation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical investigations using structured problem-solving and statistical methods, including root-cause analysis, process capability, measurement analysis, and experimental methods.
• Demonstrated success improving manufacturing performance in areas such as OEE, yield, throughput, scrap, rework, equipment reliability, productivity, and cost.
• Experience leading medium to large-scale engineering, manufacturing, equipment, and/or capital projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills with the ability and willingness to work directly with manufacturing equipment and production teams.
• Ability to influence, mentor, and provide technical leadership without direct management authority.
• Experience working in the medical device industry and knowledge of GMP quality standards is preferred.
• Understanding of dental devices, materials, and polymer science is advantageous.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

 

GENERAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent understanding of industry and manufacturing engineering practices.
• Strong proficiency with engineering tools, systems, equipment, and procedures.
• Strong planning, organizational, project management, and prioritization skills.
• Strong decision-making, analytical, and complex problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and technical communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to build effective partnerships across all levels of the company and with external suppliers and technical partners.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence outcomes without direct reporting authority.
• Ability to resolve complex technical and manufacturing issues in effective and sustainable ways.

 

MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE: 

 

Typically 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical, electro-mechanical, manufacturing, automation, or related engineering disciplines .

PREFERRED EDUCATION: 

 

Typically a Bachelor’s Degree or global equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. Master’s degree or global equivalent is a plus. May hold one or more relevant industry certifications.

TRAVEL / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

 

Travel typically less than 10%. Office environment. No special physical demands required.

 

KNOWLEDGE: 

 

Seasoned, experienced senior level professional; in-depth knowledge and full understanding of two or more disciplines and good knowledge of other related disciplines. Strong judgment and analytical ability, evaluation, originality and ingenuity required to perform tasks. Know and apply the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Resolve a wide range of issues and assignments in creative ways. Assignments are typically broad in nature. Serve as a resource to others to resolve complex problems and issues. May take on project lead role on small scale projects.

COMPLEXITY: 

 

Work on complex issues/projects where analysis of data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Use best practices and knowledge of business issues and strategic direction to solve complex problems where precedent may not exist; recommend solutions to business challenges. Demonstrate strong judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Network with senior internal and external personnel inside and outside own area of expertise.

SUPERVISION: 

 

Receive minimal instruction on day-to-day work and minimal instruction on new projects or assignments. May act as a resource to provide formal guidance for TSMs with less experience. Assignments can be broad in nature. May manage vendor relationships.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

 

Typically, to advance to a new job level, TSMs must demonstrate professional behavior and should consistently be at the high-end of meets expectations or consistently exceed expectations.

The posted range for this position is $100,678 - 157,310 USD. This is the expected starting base salary range for an employee who is new to the role to fully proficient in the role. Many factors go into determining employee pay within the posted range including education, prior experience, training, current skills, certifications, location/labor market, internal equity, etc.

DenMat offers a complete benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/Rx, Life, 401(k) with matching, 10 paid company holidays, vacation and sick time, bereavement, EAP, and employee discounts.

DenMat participates in E-Verify.

DenMat Holdings, LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer; employment with DenMat is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, creed, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship, marital status, or any other legally protected status.