Principal Engineer

Syntron Material Handling Group

Lebanon (OH)

Hybrid

USD 120,000 - 170,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work after onboarding

Medical, dental, vision, 401k

Job summary

Kadant Black Clawson LLC (KBC) in Lebanon, OH seeks a Principal Engineer to lead R&D and NPD efforts. This senior individual contributor will plan, prototype, design, test, and manage risk across projects, serving as a technical authority. Hybrid work available after onboarding (3 days in-office, 2 remote).

40 hours/week, typical M–F schedule. The role requires a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and 15+ years in industrial machine design, with a master’s preferred.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited college.
Fifteen+ years of related experience in industrial machine design.
Master’s degree in engineering preferred.
Expert knowledge of mechanical behavior under static, dynamic, and fatigue loading.
Proficient with SolidWorks and ANSYS.
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Ability to be recognized as a technical authority under engineering.
Experience with design control and stage gate processes.

Responsibilities

Create technical plans for R&D and NPD projects using design control principles and stage gate processes.
Oversee new equipment designs and updates.
Follow technological trends related to company products.
Investigate problems with new and existing equipment; devise fixes.
Utilize analytical tools such as calculations, FEA, FMEA, DFM/DFM, and AI tools.
Check work of other engineers.
Prepare technical information, test plans, and development reports.
Lead program design and progress review meetings.
Review and process engineering change requests and notices.
Serve as technical lead at customer sites; visit customers to assess needs and solutions.
Support manufacturing, quality control, purchasing, and field service.
Demonstrate understanding of IP and creation of new IP.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mechanical design

Fatigue loading

Strong communication

Analytical problem-solving

Mentorship

Team mentoring

Problem solving

Welding/SS/ Casting experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Fifteen+ years of related experience

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

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.