Principal Engineer - Structures and Body-in-White

North Pole Star, S. de R.L. de C.V.; Wyoming (MN); On-site; USD 124,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Polaris Inc. is seeking a leader in structural design to drive the development, validation, and production support of structural systems for Polaris Powersports vehicles.

You will own components from concept through production, collaborating with program architects, suppliers, and cross‑functional teams to meet performance, quality, cost, and timing goals. You will create and manage specifications, design validation plans, and validation artifacts, lead design reviews, and investigate issues to

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead the design, development, and validation of structural components and assemblies.
• Knowledge of engineering documentation and product development tools.
• Ability to balance performance, safety, cost, and timing in product development.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and lead design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, validation, and production implementation of structural components and assemblies.
• Own structural components throughout the product development lifecycle from concept to production.
• Ensure designs meet safety, performance, quality, reliability, cost, and timing objectives.
• Develop specifications, DFMEA/V&V artifacts, and validation plans; lead design reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview

You will lead the design, development, and validation of structural systems and components for Polaris Powersports vehicles from concept through production. Working with program architects, subject matter experts, product management, suppliers, and operations teams, you will develop solutions that meet performance, quality, cost, manufacturing, and timing objectives. This role provides end-to-end ownership of structural components, including design, validation, release, and production support. The position offers an opportunity to influence vehicle structures and manufacturing strategies across multiple vehicle platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, validation, and production implementation of structural components and assemblies.
• Own structural components throughout the product development lifecycle, including design, sourcing, validation, release, manufacturing, and production support.
• Ensure structural designs meet established safety, performance, quality, reliability, cost, and timing objectives for vehicle and accessory programs.
• Create and maintain component specifications, design failure mode and effects analyses, design validation plans and reports, and related engineering documentation.
• Evaluate and recommend manufacturing methods that support design, performance, quality, and cost objectives.
• Collaborate with program architects, engineers, designers, subject matter experts, product management, manufacturing teams, suppliers, and other cross-functional stakeholders to deliver robust structural solutions.
• Develop engineering concepts, layouts, sketches, presentations, and technical documentation to support product development and decision‑making.
• Partner with suppliers to develop structural solutions for new vehicles and accessories.
• Lead and participate in design reviews to establish technical alignment and support successful program execution.
• Investigate field and production issues, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.

Desired Competencies

• Leadership: You inspire, guide, and empower others to achieve their best by setting clear direction, fostering trust, and creating an environment where people feel supported, motivated, and accountable for delivering results.
• Technical / Functional Expertise: You apply the required technical or professional knowledge to perform your role effectively and stay current within your area of expertise.
• Problem Solving: You identify issues, assess root causes, and implement practical solutions that balance speed, quality, and risk.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead the design, development, and validation of structural components and assemblies from concept through production.
• Knowledge of engineering documentation and product development tools, including component specifications, design failure mode and effects analyses, and design validation plans and reports.
• Ability to evaluate manufacturing methods and balance structural performance, safety, quality, cost, reliability, and timing requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, product management, manufacturing, operations, suppliers, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to lead technical design reviews and communicate engineering concepts through layouts, sketches, presentations, and related documentation.
• Ability to investigate field and production issues, perform root‑cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $124,000 to $165,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography. While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range.

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE.

At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing. Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit‑sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay‑for‑performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous m