Principal Equipment Engineer

The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Senior Principal Equipment Engineer to lead the design, build, and commissioning of specialized production equipment used to manufacture advanced materials. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of mechanical design, automation, and process engineering. You will be responsible for delivering highly automated, instrumented, and reliable custom machines that enable next-generation production capabilities. The role demands a seasoned engineer with a proven track record of taking complex system and machine designs from concept to production on tight schedules — balancing innovation, practicality, and attention to detail at every step.
Join us to solve one of the most critical challenges facing the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry — thermal management.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and commission production-grade equipment to automate novel manufacturing processes for advanced materials.
• Design and requisition mechanical machinery and components using CAD (SolidWorks preferred), ensuring design specifications are met, and manage design files, revisions, and workflows within a Product Data Management (PDM) system.
• Integrate structure, safety systems, automation, HMI, sensing, data acquisition, SPC, and health monitoring/alerting for precise manufacturing and high duty cycle operation.
• Starting from a problem statement, clarify and fully define requirements; develop a solution in collaboration with stakeholders; design, test, and iterate to meet requirements, leading the project while drawing effectively on needed resources.
• Accurately estimate and regularly update timetables to ensure on-time delivery of new machine builds and early resolution of timeline risks.
• Evaluate, downselect, and validate subsystems and components, drawing on experience and industry best practice to maximize robustness and future expansion.
• Rapidly design and launch pilot-scale equipment for new process development.
• Respond to feedback and feature requests to improve workflow efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Conspicuously exemplify high standards of safety, organization, communication, and documentation.
• Mentor and oversee work of mechanical engineers and assembly technicians.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical and mechanical issues in assemblies and machinery. Collaborate with tech support and purchase necessary parts and equipment as needed.
• Operate machinery such as waterjets and mini-mills to fabricate parts as required for assemblies. Assist in general machining tasks as needed.
• Work effectively in a startup or small company setting. Embrace challenges, adapt to changes, and continuously seek to improve processes and methods.

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years designing, building, and commissioning custom capital equipment in advanced materials, semiconductor packaging, battery, display, web converting, or other environments where the fidelity of a chemical or materials process must be preserved by the equipment design.
• Proven track record developing first-of-kind equipment, from concept to production, and a demonstrated ability to deliver elegant solutions to complex problems.
• Hands-on experience with FAT, SAT, and equipment qualification.
• Proven ability to build, test, and troubleshoot complex electro-mechanical assemblies, from concept to commissioning.
• Working knowledge of 5S principles, design review processes, hazard analysis, and engineering controls to ensure safety and reliability.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a strong drive to refine designs and manufacturing processes for performance and reliability.
• Proficiency with CNC machining, hand tools, and power tools used for assembly, debugging, and fixture fabrication.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary range: $160,000 – $190,000 annually
• Health, Vision & Dental — Employer pays 75% of coverage for employee and dependents
• 4 weeks of supplemental Paid Parental and Family Leave
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• 14 company holidays per year