Principal Mechanical Engineer

PAR Systems; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) & matching

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

PTO and Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

PAR Systems seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical design excellence and innovation across our automation technology. In this role, you will guide senior engineers, lead complex design projects, and drive proof-of-concept prototypes while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate will have 12+ years of experience and a strong background in automation systems design. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, with a targeted pay of $130,000-160,000 annually.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience designing advanced automated systems.
• Mastery of advanced methodologies for design.
• Experience sizing and deploying automation components.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex design projects from concept through detailed engineering.
• Drive proof-of-concept prototypes and feasibility studies.
• Provide strategic guidance on new business initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design excellence

3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred)

Designing advanced automated systems

Cross-functional team leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D CAD tools

Job description

At PAR Systems, automation is more than assembling parts; it’s turning visionary ideas into tangible, high-impact solutions. As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will shape the future of our automation technology, setting the standard for mechanical design excellence and driving innovation across the company. This is a leadership role that goes beyond individual projects: your technical vision will influence our processes, standards, and long-term strategy.

Success Criteria

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will serve as the technical authority for mechanical engineering, guiding and mentoring senior and mid-level engineers while fostering a culture of innovation, best practices, and technical rigor. You will lead complex design projects from concept through detailed engineering, collaborating closely with Controls, Software, Manufacturing, Project Management and Sales teams to ensure that solutions meet customer requirements and PAR’s high standards.

Your work will include driving proof-of-concept prototypes, feasibility studies, and lab validation, all while pushing the boundaries of automation technology and solving the most challenging engineering problems. You will also lead internal and external design reviews and occasionally travel to customer sites to provide hands‑on technical leadership, troubleshoot complex systems, and support installation and commissioning.

In addition to technical project leadership, you will provide strategic guidance on new business initiatives, identifying opportunities for innovation, improving reliability, and expanding PAR’s capabilities in life sciences and automated assembly. You will define and refine mechanical design standards and scalable processes that improve efficiency, repeatability, and quality across the company.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering
• 12+ years of experience designing advanced automated systems, with demonstrated leadership on high‑impact projects
• Mastery of 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) and advanced methodologies to design assemblies, machined parts, welded fabrications and sheet metal components
• Experience sizing, selecting and deploying common automation components, including servo motors, pneumatics, photoelectric/laser and proximity sensors, and robotic packages
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams, mentor engineers, and drive complex projects to successful completion
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving, and organizational skills
• US Person

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing high‑speed and/or high‑volume automation machinery
• Large‑scale, modular automated systems experience ($10M+)
• Precision tooling design experience
• Experience with cam‑driven or continuous‑motion automation systems
• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing and its application to tooling design
• Experience working in a regulated environment (ISO 9001/ISO 13485)
• Experience establishing and improving engineering standards, processes, and best practices

Benefits

• Global team recognized for their passion of inventing
• First‑of‑a‑kind product culture and project exposure
• Training and development from industry‑leading experts
• Cutting edge benefit programs that include: 401(k) & matching; Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance; Disability & Life Insurance; PTO, Paid Holidays, & Parental Leave for both Parents; Tuition Reimbursement

PAR Systems is an equal opportunity employer and we value individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or any other status protected by applicable law. We use AI to assist with sorting applications, but real humans do all the evaluating and deciding. If selected for an interview, please advise our Human Resources department if you require accommodation during the interview or assessment process and we will support your accessibility needs. We offer market competitive pay and benefits based upon the candidate’s skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Our starting rate of pay for this salaried position is targeted at $130,000-160,000 annually.