Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer: Automation & Robotics

Vectrus, Inc; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

V2X is seeking a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer specializing in machine design, automation, and controls to lead conception, development, and deployment of advanced automation solutions for complex defense applications.

You will act as a technical authority across mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems engineering, defining architectures and driving innovation while mentoring engineering teams and contributing to proposals and technology roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in automation, advanced machine design, mechatronics, robotics.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary automation projects from concept through production/deployment.
• Proficiency with CAD software (Creo) and engineering analysis tools.
• Ability to perform kinematic and dynamic analysis on mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience with controls integration (PLC, HMI, industrial networking), sensors, motors, etc.
• Expertise with electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic power systems.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, IEEE, ANSI, ASME.
• Strong problem-solving and communication abilities.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD secret level clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Automation & Machine Design: drive full lifecycle of automation and machine development projects including requirements capture, system design, modeling, controls integration, prototyping, testing, and deployment.
• Collaborate with electrical, controls, software, and systems engineers to deliver integrated automation solutions.
• Identify and implement emerging technologies to improve performance and reliability.
• Work in a fast-paced development and prototyping environment.
• Serve as the engineering authority for mechanical and automation systems and ensure compliance with standards (ISO 9001, AS9100).
• Proactively identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Mentor junior engineers and cross-disciplinary teams.
• Lead process improvements and adoption of new tools and best practices.
• Contribute technical expertise to proposal development and cost estimation.
• Collaborate with program managers, manufacturing teams, suppliers, vendors, and customers to define technical requirements.

Skills

Automation engineering

Machine design

Mechatronics

Robotics

Leadership

Controls integration

Creo CAD

DoD clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PLC

Industrial networking

Job description

V2X is seeking a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer specializing in machine design, automation, and controls to lead conception, development, and deployment of advanced automation solutions for complex defense applications.

You will act as a technical authority across mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems engineering, defining architectures and driving innovation while mentoring engineering teams and contributing to proposals and technology roadmaps.