Principal Engineer

Kadant Black Clawson LLC; Lebanon (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kadant Black Clawson LLC in Lebanon, OH, seeks a Principal Engineer to lead R&D and NPD projects, guiding design, testing, and manufacturing readiness. The role combines technical leadership with hands-on design oversight and collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and service teams.

The successful candidate will manage complex equipment projects, mentor others, and champion IP creation while maintaining alignment with company values and global customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited program.
• 15+ years in industrial machine design.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Expert knowledge of mechanical behavior under static/dynamic/fatigue loading.
• Proficient in SolidWorks and ANSYS.
• Experience with weldments, stainless steel, castings, motor gearboxes.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Familiar with parametric 3D design software.
• ERP experience preferred.
• Ability to be recognized as a technical authority.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee R&D and NPD projects via a stage-gate process.
• Oversee new equipment designs and updates.
• Act as technical authority on assigned products.
• Lead design plans, test plans, and development reports.
• Lead program design and progress review meetings.
• Visit customer sites to solve problems and capture needs.
• Support manufacturing, quality, purchasing, and field service.
• Demonstrate IP understanding and create new IP.
• Utilize analysis tools including FEA, FMEA, DFM/DFA, and AI.

Skills

Technical leadership

Collaboration across functions

Mechanical behavior knowledge

Machine design experience

Verbal and written communication

Analytical/problem-solving

Technical authority

SolidWorks

ANSYS

ERP experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Parametric 3D design software

SolidWorks

ANSYS

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

KADANT BLACK CLAWSON LLC (KBC) is an established leader in equipment and systems for the international pulp and paper process industries. For 150 years, we’ve helped our customers reduce their input costs and improve efficiency through innovative products and technologies. Our sustainability efforts have been nationally recognized, and Kadant is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange (KAI). Our state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing facility is located in Lebanon, OH, where we design and manufacture our products for customers across the globe.

We currently seek to fill the position Principal Engineer in our R&D Department. This role acts as an individual contributor with technical leadership responsibilities to plan and oversee activities related to the successful execution of R&D and new product development projects, including research, concept development, prototyping, design, testing, manufacturing readiness, and risk management. The Principal Engineer serves as a technical authority on assigned products and projects, all while advancing KBC’s mission of being a forward‑thinking, collaborative, and ethical business. This position works typical office hours (M‑F 40 hrs. per week / 8 AM‑5 PM or similar schedule). Role is eligible for hybrid work after onboarding is complete (3 days in person / 2 remote).

Responsibilities

• Creates technical plans for R&D and NPD projects following design control principles through a stage gate process.
• Oversees new equipment designs and updates.
• Follows technological trends as it relates to Company products.
• Investigates problems with new and existing equipment; devises ways of correcting issues.
• Performs and guides others on how to utilize appropriate analytical tools during the design process, including calculations, FEA, FMEA, DFM/DFA, and AI tools.
• Checks work of other engineers.
• Prepares technical information, test plans, and development reports as required.
• Leads program design and progress review meetings as required.
• Reviews and processes engineering change requests and engineering change notices.
• Acts as a technical lead at customer sites; visits customers to help solve problems, research customer needs, and field new products.
• Supports manufacturing, quality control, purchasing, and field service.
• Demonstrates understanding of intellectual property, including interpretation of existing IP and creation of new IP.

Qualifications

• Technical leadership & mentorship.
• Strong collaboration skills across R&D, manufacturing, service, and customers.
• Possesses expert knowledge of mechanical behavior of components under static, dynamic, and fatigue loading.
• Strong machine design experience using weldments, stainless steel, castings, motor gearboxes, and strength of materials.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to be recognized as a technical authority under engineering.
• Proficient with design software, including SolidWorks and ANSYS.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software. ERP experience preferred.
• Demonstrates KBC values of personal accountability, discipline, trust, and proactive action.
• This position requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited college or university.
• A strong technical background and fifteen or more years’ related experience in industrial machine design is also required.
• A master’s degree in an engineering field is preferred.
• Familiarity with parametric 3D design software is required; SolidWorks experience is preferred.

Travel Required

10-15% travel to customer sites, supplier sites, and industry conferences is required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Benefits

All benefits are effective upon hire—including medical, dental, vision, and 401k.