Principal Product Design Engineer (10 Years Experience)

Fabworx Solutions; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Bonus Program

401(k) with Company Matching

Flexible Scheduling Options for Family

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Parental and Family Leave

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Life Insurance

Health Savings Accounts and Flexible

Job summary

Fabworx Solutions in Austin, TX, is seeking a Principal Product Design Engineer to lead design and development of automation equipment for the semiconductor industry. The role combines senior technical work with product development leadership, partnering with Manufacturing, Sales, and Executives.

You will create CAD models, perform design reviews, ensure manufacturability, and mentor engineers while exploring AI and digital tools to improve productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of product design and development experience.
• Strong background in semiconductor equipment, automation systems, industrial equipment, robotics, or precision machinery.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks and engineering documentation systems.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, structural analysis, and mechanical design principles.
• Experience managing products through the complete product lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional engineering projects.
• Strong communication and customer-facing skills.
• Experience with PDM/PLM systems preferred.
• Semiconductor industry experience strongly preferred.
• Interest in applying AI and modern digital tools to engineering workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development projects from concept through production release.
• Design and develop automation equipment, end effectors, material handling solutions, and semiconductor manufacturing support equipment.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, and design documentation.
• Conduct design reviews, engineering validation activities, and product qualification efforts.
• Ensure products are designed for manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, and cost effectiveness.
• Support existing product improvements and customer-driven enhancements.
• Develop engineering standards, templates, and best practices that improve quality and efficiency.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Operations to improve prototype-to-production transitions.
• Support customer design reviews, supplier development activities, and technical problem resolution.
• Mentor engineers, designers, and technical staff through design reviews and project execution.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and digital tools to improve engineering productivity, knowledge management, documentation, and decision-making.
• Support Fabworx innovation initiatives and help convert qualified opportunities into successful products.

Skills

Leadership

SolidWorks

GD&T

DFM DFA

Mechanical design

Semiconductor equipment

PDM/PLM

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Engineering documentation systems

PDM/PLM systems

Job description

Fabworx is looking for a Principal Product Design Engineer to lead the design and development of innovative products for the semiconductor equipment industry. This position is based in Austin, Texas and will be responsible for transforming customer needs, field discoveries, and internal innovation initiatives into commercially successful products.

The successful candidate will serve as one of our most senior technical contributors, combining strong mechanical engineering expertise with product development leadership. This role works closely with Customer Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Sales, and Executive Leadership to develop solutions that are reliable, manufacturable, scalable, and differentiated in the market.

Fabworx is a dynamic, growing business in a highly complex industry, and the right candidate is someone who enjoys solving difficult technical problems, developing new products, improving engineering processes, and helping the company adopt modern engineering tools and technologies.

Compensation will consist of a base salary with eligibility for company bonus programs.

Principal Product Design Engineer Primary Responsibilities

• Lead product development projects from concept through production release.
• Design and develop automation equipment, end effectors, material handling solutions, and semiconductor manufacturing support equipment.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, and design documentation.
• Conduct design reviews, engineering validation activities, and product qualification efforts.
• Ensure products are designed for manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, and cost effectiveness.
• Support existing product improvements and customer-driven enhancements.
• Develop engineering standards, templates, and best practices that improve quality and efficiency.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Operations to improve prototype-to-production transitions.
• Support customer design reviews, supplier development activities, and technical problem resolution.
• Mentor engineers, designers, and technical staff through design reviews and project execution.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and digital tools to improve engineering productivity, knowledge management, documentation, and decision-making.
• Support Fabworx innovation initiatives and help convert qualified opportunities into successful products.

Principal Product Design Engineer Experience and Traits

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of product design and development experience.
• Strong background in semiconductor equipment, automation systems, industrial equipment, robotics, or precision machinery.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks and engineering documentation systems.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, structural analysis, and mechanical design principles.
• Experience managing products through the complete product lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional engineering projects.
• Strong communication and customer-facing skills.
• Experience with PDM/PLM systems preferred.
• Semiconductor industry experience strongly preferred.
• Interest in applying AI and modern digital tools to engineering workflows.

Fabworx Solutions

Fabworx began in 2002 with a focus on improving the mechanical performance of semiconductor wafer processing equipment robots. That initial idea grew to now include an array of hardware innovations across PVD, CVD, Diffusion, Etch, RTP, and more. We have little interest in doing what others can do but cheaper. Instead, we focus on fixing problems few are addressing with our unrivaled products.

Our business reaches across the globe from the United States to East and Southeast Asia to Europe. We’re headquartered in Austin with branch offices in South Korea and Taiwan and distributors in ten other countries.

Who We Are:

• A family-friendly small company that’s light on red tape and heavy on novel thinking and creative approaches
• A company that respects your input and gives you a voice in company direction
• A just-right balance between teamwork and personal contribution
• An ISO-certified manufacturer that doggedly strives for zero defects
• A team doing all of this in one of the most unique office spaces in the East Austin community

What We Believe:

• This isn’t a job. It’s your career. We’re dedicated to your personal and professional growth.
• A good career and a good life are not incompatible. Take care of your loved ones. Use your PTO. Enjoy your life.
• Every business, no matter the industry or size, should urgently do what it can to reduce its environmental footprint.
• Business should be a force for good.
• Company Bonus Program
• 401(k) with Company Matching
• Flexible Scheduling Options for Family Care Needs
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance and Benefits
• Parental and Family Leave
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Account Options

Diversity

Fabworx Solutions is an equal opportunity employer.