Principal Mechanical Engineer

Sterling Engineering; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead complex automation projects from concept to delivery. You will influence technical strategy, mentor engineers, and work directly with customers and suppliers on medical and life sciences projects.

You will apply strong machine design, GD&T, and manufacturing knowledge, with hands-on SolidWorks experience, to guide projects through design, build, validation, and deployment in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• Extensive mechanical design experience in automation projects, including concept to delivery.
• Strong expertise in GD&T and manufacturing processes.
• Experience mentoring engineers and guiding technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex automation projects from concept through delivery.
• Serve as a technical leader in customer conversations and proposals.
• Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to meet specifications.
• Develop engineering standards and provide hands-on guidance to the team.

Skills

Machine design

Manufacturing

GD&T

Engineering analysis

Automation experience

Pneumatics

Machine safety

SolidWorks

Education

Technical diploma/certificate in automation or related

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA

Job description

What if your next engineering role put you at the center of complex automation projects that help bring medical and life sciences innovations to market?

We’re looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to serve as a technical leader across the full project lifecycle, from concept and quoting through design, build, validation, and delivery.

This is an opportunity for an experienced mechanical engineer who wants more than a design seat. You’ll influence technical strategy, guide project teams, mentor engineers, work directly with customers and suppliers, and solve challenging problems involving custom automation, precision machine design, manufacturing, and regulated medical applications.

Why this role stands out:

• Lead complex, high-impact automation projects from concept to completion
• Be a technical voice in customer and business-development conversations
• Work on technologies supporting medical and life sciences innovation
• Influence engineering standards, design practices, and technical direction
• Mentor and develop engineers while remaining hands-on technically
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, suppliers, and project teams
• Work in an environment built around innovation, continuous learning, and solving complex challenges
• Join a growing organization with opportunities to expand your technical and leadership impact
• 10+ years of mechanical design experience (or 15+ years in custom automation with a technical diploma/certificate)
• Strong machine design, manufacturing, GD&T, and engineering analysis expertise
• Experience with automation, pneumatics, machine safety, and complex mechanical systems
• Solid 3D CAD experience, SolidWorks preferred
• Experience with FEA, engineering calculations, and detailed engineering documentation
• A technical leader who enjoys mentoring others and tackling problems that don’t have off-the-shelf answers

If you’re a Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer who is ready to have a bigger technical impact, and wants to work on challenging automation projects where the engineering actually matters, this could be worth a conversation.