Principal Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Our company is looking for a Principal Engineer to join our Engineering team and work as a Senior member of the team reporting to Director of Engineering.

As a Principal Engineer, you will:

• Study, research and analyze customer specifications, and other data to assist in creating machine layout.
• Lead the creation, review, and submittal bid packages.
• Take customer specifications and translate them to actionable Functional Design Specification (FDS) so the engineering team can execute the design.
• Assist Director of Engineering with sales presentations
• Consult with sales to communicate customer needs to our engineering team
• Provide technical support and expertise to sales & customers
• Monitor projects for accuracy and quality from conception to Implementation.
• Vet, document, and close technical queries (TQ’s), change orders (CO’s), and project milestones.
• Adapt existing equipment to specific job applications.
• Shares technical information across the company.
• Adhere and contribute to internal policies, procedures, and standards.
• Review engineering deliverables and initiate appropriate corrective actions

• Applies knowledge of engineering principles to specify products used on maintenance of way equipment for the railroad industry.
• Throughout development of the machine, the Principal Engineer works with design engineers to drive integration of all design elements. (Mechanical, Electrical, Fluid Power, & Software)
• Plans, schedules, and coordinates the preparation of structural drawings to meet deadlines.
• Keeps informed of new methods and practices in system designs and components.
• Analyzes test data and reports to determine if design meets functional and performance specifications.
• Evaluates engineering test results for application to developments of systems or other uses.
• Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures used in the field of maintenance of way type of equipment. A.R.E.A., AAR.
• May require some traveling to customer job site to evaluate problems and report back to management with findings
• Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

• A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Must have at 6-8 years of experience in mechanical/machine design.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and a CAD program (Autodesk Vault, Inventor & AutoCAD Preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills
• Superb collaboration and communication
• Familiar with methods of heavy machine manufacturing.
• The individual also must be able to think practically and authoritatively, able to accommodate the company's deadlines, budget, and other resources to make informed decisions for their projects.
• In addition to having the technical qualifications, the individual must be a good team player with effective communication and problem-solving skills.

Highly Valued:

• Knowledge of the current ISO and ANSI (Y14) standards.
• Experience in the Rail Industry (Specifically Maintenance-of-Way)
• Familiarity with rules, regulations, best practices and performance standards of the rail industry
• Ability to work with multiple discipline projects
• Project management
• Relevant training and/or certifications as a Principal Engineer
• Knowledge of engineering concepts including electrical/electronics, mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Great organization and time management

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the industrial facility.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.