The Principal Engineer role offers the opportunity to lead complex transformer design projects from concept through production, working at the intersection of engineering innovation, manufacturing excellence, and customer-driven solutions. You’ll develop custom designs for distribution-class and power-class transformers, ensuring they meet customer specifications, industry standards, and internal engineering requirements. You’ll play a key role across the full engineering lifecycle—design, documentation, manufacturing support, testing, optimization, and continuous improvement—while serving as a technical leader and problem-solver for cross-functional teams.
What You’ll Do
- Develop custom designs for distribution and power-class transformers that meet customer requirements, IEEE/ANSI standards, and internal engineering procedures.
- Prepare engineering documentation, including Bills of Materials (BOMs), drawings, and material quotations for Purchasing, Sales, Manufacturing, and Test teams.
- Support manufacturing and testing activities by responding to production questions, customer service inquiries, and factory test follow-ups.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including design optimization and aluminum-conductor strategies (such as transitioning to aluminum round wire).
- Lead the development and implementation of Large Power Class Substation Transformers (138 kV, 650 BIL).
- Analyze new proposals, specifications, and product concepts to determine feasibility and engineering requirements.
- Apply advanced engineering principles to plan, coordinate, and recommend solutions for complex technical challenges.
- Monitor production schedules and manage engineering workload to ensure deadlines are met.
- Evaluate and process engineering change requests; revise and reissue production files as needed.
- Support inventory reduction efforts by ensuring proper use of surplus or obsolete materials.
- Review and approve new vendors based on technical suitability and product quality.
- Provide engineered solutions, assist with troubleshooting, and summarize findings for root-cause investigations.
- Promote and uphold safe engineering and manufacturing practices across all processes.
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
- 5+ years of experience for Principal Engineer level (advanced degrees count as one additional year).
- Proven design experience with distribution or power transformers.
- Experience with industrial power products and helical power designs.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and AutoCAD.
- Ability to read drawings, technical documents, and detailed instructions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for small-group or one-on-one settings.
- Ability to apply sound engineering judgment to solve problems with concrete variables in standardized situations.
