Principal Engineer/Project Lead

Job Summary

The Principal Design-Build Engineer (Project Lead) provides senior-level technical leadership for our clients most complex, custom-engineered systems. This role is accountable for both the technical direction and successful execution of design-build projects from concept through commissioning.

This is a hands-on engineering leadership role, not a traditional project management position. You will lead the design and delivery of one-of-a-kind systems, working across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines to solve complex, novel challenges.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead the design and delivery of custom, one-off engineered systems — not repeat production products

• Own projects from concept development through design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning

• Drive system-level integration across mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering disciplines

• Make key technical decisions and engineering trade-offs impacting performance, safety, cost, and schedule

• Work directly with fabrication teams, vendors, and field personnel to bring designs to life

• Lead and facilitate technical design reviews with internal teams and external stakeholders

• Identify technical risks early and drive practical, real-world mitigation strategies

• Serve as the primary technical interface with customers, ensuring alignment throughout the project lifecycle

• Mentor and guide engineering staff while remaining actively engaged in technical problem-solving

• Support business development through technical input on proposals, scope definition, and risk assessment

What This Role Is NOT

• A pure project or program management role without hands-on engineering involvement
• A position focused on high-volume product design or sustaining engineering
• A people-management-only role removed from technical decision-making

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead the project’s technical decision-making path, ensuring design solutions meet performance, safety, and customer requirements

• Drive engineering trade-offs, system-level integration, and risk resolution across all disciplines

• Direct, mentor, and coordinate engineering staff on assigned projects

• Partner with Project Management to monitor schedules, budgets, procurement, and execution—while retaining technical ownership

• Collaborate with shop, field, and fabrication vendors to ensure designs are executable and successfully implemented

• Lead structured technical design reviews with customers and internal teams

• Build strong relationships with customers, vendors, and third-party stakeholders

• Ensure alignment with company standards, quality expectations, and project objectives

• Prepare and deliver clear technical and project status updates to leadership

• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering and project execution practices

Required Qualifications:

• Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR due to access to export-controlled technical data

• B.S. degree from an ABET-accredited institution in Mechanical, Structural, Electrical, or Controls Engineering

• 10+ years of experience leading the design and delivery of custom engineered systems or equipment (concept through commissioning)

• Demonstrated experience in design-build project environments, not solely product development or construction management

• Proven ability to drive technical direction and system-level decision-making across multidisciplinary teams

• Experience integrating mechanical, electrical, and controls systems

• Track record of delivering complex projects meeting technical, schedule, and financial objectives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with custom machinery, automation systems, test equipment, or large mechanized structures

• Background in industries such as aerospace, amusement/entertainment systems, cranes, or other complex engineered systems

• Familiarity with tools such as SolidWorks, ANSYS, MS Project, and Excel

• Experience supporting installation, commissioning, or field execution of engineered systems