Remote Principal Mechanical Engineer

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Stock options

Health insurance

Generous vacation

Professional development

Fully remote

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for a fully remote role to lead design and development of advanced mechanical systems in renewable energy technologies. This senior position requires strong technical vision and ability to guide cross-functional teams across continents.

You will mentor engineers, perform advanced analyses, define architecture and system requirements, and ensure robust, reliable performance of high‑performance energy components.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of design, analysis, and product development in mechanical systems.
• Proven track record leading complex technical projects.
• Expertise in CAD and FEA software.
• Strong thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and materials science knowledge.
• Excellent leadership and remote communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization, design, and development of complex mechanical systems for energy technologies.
• Mentor mid-level and junior engineers within the mechanical team.
• Conduct advanced analyses (stress, thermal, vibration, fatigue) for robustness.
• Define architecture and system requirements aligned with project goals.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and product management to drive development.
• Oversee validation and testing to meet performance targets.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies to enhance design capabilities.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, standards, and best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Mentoring engineers

Analytical thinking

Education

PhD or MS in Mech Eng

Tools

SolidWorks/NX

ANSYS/Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, is actively seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for a fully remote position. This senior role is critical to driving innovation and excellence in the design and development of advanced mechanical components for our next-generation energy systems. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience, a deep technical understanding, and a visionary approach to mechanical engineering challenges. As a Principal Engineer, you will provide technical leadership, mentor engineering teams, and influence strategic technical decisions. You will work on challenging, high-impact projects, contributing significantly to our client's mission of creating a sustainable future. This is a remote-first opportunity, allowing you to contribute your expertise from your home office while collaborating with a diverse and talented international team. Your ability to lead technically, solve complex problems, and communicate effectively across remote channels will be paramount to success in this role. Join us to shape the future of energy through pioneering mechanical engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and development of complex mechanical systems and components for advanced energy technologies.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to mid-level and junior engineers within the mechanical engineering team.
• Conduct advanced engineering analyses, including stress, thermal, vibration, and fatigue analysis, to ensure design robustness and performance.
• Define mechanical architecture and system-level requirements, ensuring alignment with project goals and product roadmaps.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing, and product management, to drive product development.
• Oversee the validation and testing of mechanical designs, ensuring they meet stringent performance and reliability targets.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and methodologies to enhance design capabilities and product innovation.
• Act as a key technical advisor on high-priority projects and contribute to strategic engineering planning.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, standards, and best practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex mechanical issues encountered during product development and in the field.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant technical discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design, analysis, and product development, with a significant focus on high-performance systems.
• Proven track record of leading complex technical projects and delivering innovative engineering solutions.
• Expertise in advanced CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, NX) and sophisticated FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Deep understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and material science.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to tackle ambiguous challenges.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills, capable of driving consensus in a remote environment.
• Experience in the renewable energy sector is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple strategic initiatives effectively.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with significant performance-based incentives.
• Long-term incentive plan and stock options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous vacation policy and paid holidays.
• Professional development budget for conferences and training.
• Cutting-edge projects with a direct impact on global sustainability.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexibility.