Contract Principal Mechanical Development Engineer

Socket.dev; Van Buren Charter Township (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ricardo seeks a Contractor Principal Mechanical Development Engineer to lead powertrain and transmission projects from Detroit, with occasional travel to other Ricardo sites and client locations in the U.S. The role combines onsite and hybrid work arrangements.

You will apply fundamental engineering principles, manage projects and teams, perform FMEAs and validate plans, and coordinate with design, test, and supplier personnel to drive robust component development and design decisions.

Qualifications

• A good Engineering degree is preferential but not essential.
• Strong ability to apply fundamental engineering principles; extensive experience in automotive mechanical development.
• Willingness to travel and work on client sites as required.
• Experience with CAE/CFD techniques and powertrain systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead powertrain and transmission projects across multiple applications.
• Coordinate with test, design, analysis, and supplier teams to define validation plans (DVPs) and execute FMEAs.
• Manage projects and team members, interpreting results to recommend design changes.
• Prepare work proposals and project plans; communicate with stakeholders and customers.

Job description

Overview

Role: Contractor Principal Mechanical Development Engineer

Location: Detroit USA - Onsite / Hybrid

Role ID:2026-3435

Pushing Boundaries: a World leader in propulsion engineering from concept to production

Ricardo is a trusted engineering partner specialising in complex propulsion, driveline, and energy systems. We work with customers globally to deliver end-to-end solutions from initial design through to full production. For over 110 years, we have been at the forefront of world changing engineering innovation, partnering with many of the world’s most ambitious organisations to improve performance, push boundaries, and accelerate progress.Headquartered in Shoreham by Sea (UK), Ricardo brings together more than 1,000 experts and delivers in excess of 200 major programmes globally at any given time. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com

The Role

Due to the expansion of business within the Ricardo Development Department we are actively searching for Principal Development Engineer to work on powertrain, transmission, industrial focused projects across a wide spectrum of applications and their associated systems and sub-systems. The successful candidate will be based at our Detroit office but also be flexible to work at other Ricardo sites and at customer locations in the U.S. (for a pre-agreed period of time if the project requires it).

The role will require a qualified and experienced mechanical engineer, with a good understanding in automotive, industrial and marine components, systems and associated vehicle parts. Understanding of transmission design would also be beneficial. The job will require close co-operation with stakeholder areas such as test, design, analysis, attributes, business development, metallurgical and chemical laboratories as well as suppliers to facilitate FMEAs and define appropriate design validation plans (DVPs).The role will require an element of team management, analysis of test and analysis results and make recommendations for design changes on either new powertrain designs, vehicle interface systems or lead failure investigation projects. Projects may involve working alone or part of a cross-functional and possibly international team.

The ideal candidate will be a commercially aware professional engineer, degree educated with an acceptable level of man management skills

Key Responsibilities

• Team management.
• Proposal preparation.
• Understanding of the product development process for powertrains & transmissions.
• System and component specifications.
• Rig and System validation testing.
• Instrumentation and data capture.
• FMEAs.
• DVP’s (Design Validation Plans)
• Structured problem solving i.e 8D, DAMAIC process etc.
• Test procedure preparation and release.
• Post test teardown and inspection.
• Metrology skills.
• An understanding of component manufacture, supplier liaison and design release process are also beneficial.
• Preparation and execution of component, system, engine and vehicle testing either at Ricardo or on off site with the customer:

• Specialist instrumentation.
• Prototype component manufacture. Component and system functional and durability test rigs.
• Functionality and durability engine dynamometer tests. Functionality and durability vehicle tests.

• Investigations and technical reporting to respond to customer powertrain enquiries on current and advanced technology on component or engine systems.
• Preparation of work proposals and project planning activities.
• Interfacing with engineering teams and specialists.

Qualification Requirements

• A good Engineering degree is preferential but not essential.

Key Skills and Experience

• As well as a strong ability to apply of fundamental engineering principles. Relevant experience in the automotive engineering industry and in the field of mechanical development is essential. Initiative and interpersonal skills are essential, as are strong written communication, PC and presentation skills.
• Technical task management of projects and engineers.
• Broad engineering knowledge of powertrain systems.
• Supplier management.
• Can work on client’s site / willing to travel.
• Ability to coordinate and understand information from multiple engineering departments.
• Understand engineering drawings.
• Experience of fault finding techniques used in the Automotive industry.
• Good project management skills.
• Understanding of CAE and CFD techniques.
• Understanding of engine component and system design gasoline and Diesel engines with a basic knowledge of transmission operation.
• Good presentation and reporting skills.

Working here

You will be warmly welcomed into our workplace where every voice matters. We are diverse thinkers and doers, coming together to create a culture of inclusion. We will support you to find your place.

We will encourage you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact through the projects you work on. Your knowledge and desire to bring about change will be invaluable in helping deliver innovative solutions that support communities across the globe in becoming safer and more sustainable.

Work life balance

We offer flexible approaches to work, whether that is working from home, being in the office, or as a hybrid worker. We're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. Wellbeing is at the core to our culture, allowing employees to flourish and to achieve their full potential.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, creed, gender identity. sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, marital or parental status (IL only), height, weight, national origin, citizenship status, age, domestic violence victim status, arrest record or conviction record (MI only), genetic information, military or veteran status or disability, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or municipal law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.