Principal Mechanical Systems Engineer

SkyWater Search Partners; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Skywater is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to act as a senior technical leader and SME within a growing engineering team. The role defines mechanical system architecture, translates customer needs into executable plans, and mentors engineers while staying closely involved in problem solving.

The position emphasizes technical ownership and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with a focus on delivering complex solutions for customers in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience with machinery, equipment, or complex engineered products.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects beyond individual design work.
• Strong communication with customers and across engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Establish and define mechanical system architecture for complex machinery and product programs.
• Translate customer requirements into technical scope, milestones, deliverables, and plans.
• Provide project-level technical leadership across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Mentor mechanical engineers and designers with hands-on involvement in decisions.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, controls, and other disciplines for integrated systems.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, scoping, and proposals.
• Remain actively involved in design decisions and manufacturing considerations.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Project leadership

Customer interaction

Mentoring

Systems thinking

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Skywater is hiring a Principal Mechanical Engineer to serve as a senior technical leader and SME within a growing engineering staff.

The Principal Mechanical Engineer will define mechanical system architecture, translate customer requirements into executable technical plans, provide leadership across multidisciplinary projects, and mentor other engineers while remaining closely involved in engineering decisions and problem solving.

The position offers significant technical ownership, exposure to a variety of engineering challenges, and the opportunity to influence how complex solutions are developed and delivered. It is best suited for someone who enjoys leading through technical expertise rather than moving into a traditional people-management role.

The ideal candidate will bring broad mechanical systems experience, strong product development fundamentals, and the ability to work effectively with customers and engineering teams in environments where the solution is not already fully defined.

This is an onsite position in the Twin Cities

Salary range: 140k-180k

Responsibilities

• Establish and define mechanical system architecture for complex machinery, equipment, and product development programs.
• Translate customer requirements into technical scope, engineering milestones, deliverables, technical plans, and project tasks.
• Provide project-level technical leadership across multiple concurrent engineering initiatives.
• Mentor and provide technical direction to mechanical engineers and designers.
• Partner with electrical, software, controls, and other engineering disciplines to support integrated system development.
• Participate directly in customer meetings, technical reviews, project scoping, and proposal development.
• Remain actively involved in design decisions, technical problem solving, manufacturing considerations, and project execution.

Desired Skills And Experience

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering and 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, preferably from an OEM or custom equipment environment.
• Significant mechanical engineering experience involving machinery, equipment, or complex engineered products.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects beyond individual design execution.
• Broad understanding of mechanical systems such as structures, hydraulics, engines/power systems, and manufacturing.
• Experience working directly with customers and communicating complex technical concepts effectively.
• Strong product development fundamentals with the adaptability to operate in varied, fast-moving engineering environments.