Principal Engineer

Aplin; Halifax; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Aplin is seeking a talented Principal Engineer to join our Halifax team in Nova Scotia. This role acts as the technical authority, guiding multidisciplinary teams through the engineering lifecycle to deliver robust and innovative solutions for defence, aerospace, or subsea projects.

You will lead root-cause investigations, shape technical roadmaps, and mentor junior engineers, communicating complex concepts to stakeholders across the organization.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in a relevant technical discipline (e.g., materials, acoustics, mechanical, ceramics, metallurgical, polymers).
• 12+ years of engineering experience within defence, aerospace, marine, or subsea environments.
• Demonstrated technical authority in one or more specialist domains.
• Experience with sonar, underwater acoustics, or sonobuoy systems is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority within your specialist domain, guiding the engineering lifecycle.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop robust, innovative, and cost-effective solutions.
• Lead and support root cause investigations and implement corrective actions per Failure Review Board processes.
• Drive innovation and define technical roadmaps within your specialist area.
• Develop engineering solutions through analysis, modelling, testing and experimentation.
• Communicate technical concepts and risks to stakeholders.
• Provide technical mentoring and guidance to junior engineers.

Skills

Technical leadership

Systems engineering

Acoustic engineering

Defense domain

Education

Master’s or PhD in relevant technical discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

MATLAB/Simulink

COMSOL

OrcaFlex

Job description

If you are a talented and experienced Principal Engineer, Aplin has the right opportunity for you! Our client, a leader in their field, has partnered with Aplin to grow their team in Halifax, Nova Scotia!

Compensation

• Expected salary range is between $100,000 – $140,000 per annum, commensurate with experience

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority within your specialist domain, providing guidance throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop robust, innovative, and cost-effective solutions that meet customer and project requirements.
• Lead and support root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve product robustness in accordance with established Failure Review Board processes.
• Drive innovation and help define technical roadmaps within your specialist area.
• Develop and substantiate engineering solutions through analysis, modelling and simulation, testing, and experimentation.
• Effectively communicate technical concepts, risks, recommendations, and solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide technical mentoring and guidance to junior engineers and contribute to the development of engineering capabilities across the organization.

Role Requirements

• Detailed knowledge of the Systems Engineering lifecycle, including formal processes and methodologies, preferably within the defence sector.
• Experience communicating and working with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior management and external customers.
• Strong technical leadership and problem-solving capabilities within a specialized engineering discipline.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s or PhD in a relevant technical discipline. Examples include Materials Science, Acoustic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Polymer Engineering.
• 12+ years of engineering experience within defence, aerospace, marine, or subsea environments.
• Demonstrated technical authority and expertise in one or more of the identified specialist domains.
• Experience with sonar, underwater acoustics, or sonobuoy systems is highly desirable.
• Experience with several of the following engineering and modelling tools: SolidWorks, COMSOL, MATLAB/Simulink, OrcaFlex, ProteusDS, Gazebo, Bellhop, Wader, or equivalent.

Specialist Areas: Acoustics

• Experience developing acoustic models for sonar, sonobuoy, or underwater sensing systems to predict system performance, detection range, and operational behaviour.
• Strong understanding of underwater acoustics, acoustic propagation, beamforming, signal generation, and acoustic performance analysis.
• Experience interpreting customer and system requirements to develop acoustic performance specifications and verification strategies.
• Experience with supplier material and process governance, including quality, traceability, and process control.
• Experience analysing and correlating modelling results with laboratory, tank, or sea‑trial test data.
• Familiarity with acoustic modelling tools such as COMSOL, Bellhop, MATLAB, Wader, or equivalent.

Engineering Analysis & Materials

• Expertise in multi‑material systems, particularly metallic, polymer, ceramic, and adhesive materials.
• Strong understanding of corrosion, fatigue, fracture mechanics, pressure effects, and environmental degradation.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing, including process selection and qualification, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), and polymer and metal AM technologies.
• Experience with environmental design and qualification of mission‑critical systems operating in harsh environments.
• Experience with modelling and simulation, including FEA, fracture mechanics, viscoelastic modelling, thermal modelling, and corrosion modelling.
• Experience with hydrodynamic modelling is considered an asset.

Transducers

• Experience in the design, development, analysis, and qualification of electroacoustic transducers for underwater applications.
• Strong understanding of piezoelectric materials, ceramics, polymers, composites, and associated manufacturing processes.
• Experience translating system and acoustic requirements into transducer performance specifications and detailed designs.
• Experience with transducer modelling using analytical methods, finite element analysis (FEA), or multiphysics simulation tools such as COMSOL.
• Knowledge of transducer characterization, including impedance analysis, sensitivity, bandwidth, directivity, and power handling.
• Experience supporting prototype manufacturing, integration, testing, and qualification of transducers in laboratory and field environments.
• Familiarity with high‑voltage drive electronics, matching networks, or acoustic array integration is considered an asset.

Security Clearance

Candidates must be eligible to obtain a Secret security clearance, as required for the nature of the programs and projects delivered to our client.

At Aplin — together with our brands CompuStaff, Impact Recruitment, and Vantix Systems — we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers. Accommodation is available upon request throughout all stages of the recruitment process.