Principal Electric Motor Design Engineer
About the Role
Our client is expanding a specialized engineering organization responsible for the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of large AC traction motors and generators used in heavy industrial electric drive applications. These are large-scale rotating equipment systems measured in hundreds of kilowatts and megawatts where reliability, durability, manufacturability, and performance are critical.
This role offers the opportunity to work closely with mechanical engineers, manufacturing personnel, testing teams, drafting resources, and technical leadership while helping advance strategically important electrification initiatives.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
Unlike many engineering roles that focus on a narrow portion of the product lifecycle, this position offers broad ownership and direct involvement from concept development through manufacturing, testing, validation, and continuous improvement.
- Ownership across the entire product lifecycle
- Direct interaction with manufacturing and testing teams
- Exposure to large-scale motors, generators, and rotating equipment
- A highly collaborative, low-ego engineering culture
- Strong technical leadership and mentorship
- Meaningful influence on product design and engineering decisions
- Variety of work spanning design, manufacturing support, testing, troubleshooting, and product improvement
- Long-term technical and leadership growth opportunities
Responsibilities
- Lead electromagnetic design of large AC traction motors and generators
- Define motor performance requirements including torque, efficiency, thermal performance, and durability
- Develop stator, rotor, winding, insulation, and cooling system designs
- Perform electromagnetic analysis and design optimization
- Support prototype development and production implementation
- Partner closely with manufacturing teams to improve quality and producibility
- Support testing, validation, and performance analysis activities
- Investigate root cause and reliability issues
- Analyze test data and drive continuous improvement initiatives
- Provide technical leadership on complex rotating equipment programs
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
- Significant experience designing large AC motors, generators, or related rotating equipment
- Experience supporting products through manufacturing and testing
- Strong knowledge of electromagnetic design principles
- Understanding of insulation systems, cooling systems, and motor performance optimization
- Experience using tools such as JMAG, Maxwell, Motor-CAD, ANSYS, or similar platforms
- Strong communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills
Backgrounds That Translate Well
We are particularly interested in candidates from rail and locomotive industries, large industrial motor manufacturers, generator manufacturers, heavy rotating equipment manufacturers, mining equipment manufacturers, power generation equipment, paper and pulp motor applications, and industrial electrification environments.
What Separates Top Candidates
The strongest candidates have personally designed motors or generators, released products to manufacturing, supported manufacturing teams, led testing and validation efforts, solved field performance issues, and owned products from concept through production. We're looking for engineers who have built products, not simply analyzed them.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, technical expertise, and overall qualifications.
- Annual incentive bonus opportunity
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement savings program
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
- Long-term technical and leadership development opportunities
Exceptional candidates may also be considered at a higher organizational level based on experience and demonstrated expertise. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.