Principal Mechanical Engineer

Principal Mechanical Engineer

42dot is a mobility AI company committed to solving mobility challenges with software and AI. As the Global Software Center of Hyundai Motor Group, 42dot pioneers the future of mobility by advancing the development of software-defined vehicles.

We develop safety-first, user-centric software-defined vehicle technologies that deliver the latest performance through continuous updates like smartphones. By advancing software and AI technology, 42dot envisions a world where everything is connected and moves autonomously through a self-managing urban transportation operating system.

About the Role

At 42dot, we are building the high-performance hardware that powers the next generation of autonomous mobility. As the Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will be the technical lead for all mechanical aspects of our compute platforms. Your scope ranges from the precision engineering of ECU enclosures and advanced thermal solutions to the design of the physical infrastructure—fixtures and test benches—that enables our firmware and hardware validation. Beyond design, you are a process architect. You will own the mechanical product development lifecycle, define engineering workflows, and manage the PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) for all mechanical components, ensuring a seamless transition from prototype to volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead Mechanical Design: Drive the design and development of ECU enclosures, fixtures, prototypes, and test benches, and their integration to manufacturing and test infrastructure
• Thermal & Environmental: Own the thermal design strategy for high-compute electronics, ensuring reliability under extreme automotive environmental conditions.
• Process & PLM: Define and manage the mechanical engineering workflow. Direct the implementation and maintenance of PLM systems to ensure robust version control and documentation for all mechanical assemblies.
• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Interface with EE, Firmware, and Quality teams to gather complex requirements and decompose them into actionable milestones and deliverables.
• DFX Leadership: Implement rigorous DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFT (Design for Test) principles to ensure products are optimized for high-volume production and automated assembly.
• Validation & Verification: Design and execute comprehensive product validation plans, including mechanical stress testing, vibration analysis, and thermal cycling.
• EMC Integration: Partner with EE teams to design enclosures that meet strict EMC/EMI shielding requirements for safety-critical automotive applications.

Qualifications

• Industry Tenure: 20+ years of experience in mechanical design and product development, specifically for electronics packaging.
• Sector Expertise: Deep experience in safety-critical industries (e.g., Automotive, Aerospace, or Medical Devices).
• NPI Mastery: Proven track record of leading New Product Introduction (NPI) cycles, taking products from initial prototype through to volume manufacturing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Tooling & Fabrication: Expert-level proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) and deep knowledge of manufacturing processes (injection molding, die casting, CNC, sheet metal).
• Simulation Skills: Experience in FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) for thermal and structural validation.
• Standards Fluency: Strong understanding of automotive standards for environmental sealing (IP ratings), shock, and vibration.

Interview Process

• Application Review - Coding Test - 1st interview - 2nd interview - Offer Negotiation - Hiring
• The screening procedures may vary depending on the position, schedule, or other circumstances.
• You will be individually notified of the screening schedule and results via the email address provided in your application.

Compensation

• $233,700 - $336,300

Additional Information

• In accordance with fair hiring practices, do not include any personal information unrelated to your job qualifications (e.g., Social Security Number, family relations, marital status, age, photo, physical condition, place of birth, etc.) in your resume.
• All documents must be submitted in PDF format and under 30MB in size.
• If you experience issues uploading your resume, please send it along with the job posting URL to View email address on click.appcast.io.
• We strongly encourage applications from U.S. veterans and candidates eligible for employment preference under applicable laws.
• Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• 42dot does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay fees for any such submissions. Equal Opportunity Statement
• 42dot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.