Principal R&D Engineer (Bearings)

Job Summary

The Principal R&D Engineer will act as a senior engineer for the team to drive improved decision-making skills and advanced educational development for team members. This individual will lead major multi-phase R&D projects and teach less skilled colleagues to improve overall R&D team performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a senior engineer for the team to drive improved decision-making skills and advanced educational development for team members.
• Act as the technology leader for large multi-phase new product development projects that require advanced R&D and project management skills.
• Innovate and implement industry-leading technologies to solve identified challenges within a problem statement that can be incorporated into assigned products and/or processes.
• Demonstrate sound fundamental technical proficiency in own competence area. Emphasis on critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving.
• Lead the peer team in creating new and innovative solutions that exceed the performance of current technologies.
• Propose follow-up projects and activities within own technical area based on new ideas.
• Projects, Processes & Tools
• Demonstrate sound understanding of, and actively apply, R&D processes and tools. Examples include sound communication capabilities, advanced project management processes, use of 2D and 3D CAD tools, advanced understanding of FEA, and awareness of industry standards applicable to area of expertise.
• Knowledge Transfer
• Actively teach own technical/scientific knowledge to less skilled colleagues in applying processes and tools to ensure timely and high-quality results. Show solid documentation skills and write technical reports independently.
• Strategic Vision & Leadership
• Proactively seek to identify opportunities for new or advanced technologies that could be used for product enhancements or new product needs based on problem definition and project scopes. Initiate business review of new technology ideas with business team members.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or relevant field (M.S. Preferred).
• 20+ years of Engineering, Manufacturing, or related technical experience.
• Relevant product-related experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office and 3D/2D drafting and modeling software.
• Strong analytical skills with an emphasis on advanced technology, critical thinking, root cause analysis, and problem solving.
• Extreme attention to detail with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Ability to adapt and multi-task based on departmental needs; collaborates well with others and is a good team player.
• General understanding of basic project management skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with passion for new and changing ideas.
• Proven history of innovation and creativity.
• History of contribution, leadership, and influence in relevant national and/or international trade/industry associations.
• Leverage Lean Green Belt preferred.

Physical Demands

• Extended periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk or computer workstation.
• 5-10% travel to meet with clients or attend meetings (overnight travel as needed).
• Able to type, reach, and grasp.
• Able to carry, lift, and pull up to 50 lbs.
• Reach, climb, crawl, walk.
• Speak and present in person or virtually to individuals and small groups.