What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Engineer position at Sunbelt Solomon?
ThePrincipal Engineerrole offers the opportunity to lead complex transformer design projects from concept through production, working at the intersection of engineering innovation, manufacturing excellence, and customer-driven solutions. You'll develop custom designs for distribution-class and power-class transformers, ensuring they meet customer specifications, industry standards, and internal engineering requirements. You'll play a key role across the full engineering lifecycle-design, documentation, manufacturing support, testing, optimization, and continuous improvement-while serving as a technical leader and problem-solver for cross-functional teams.
What You'll Do
- Develop custom designs for distribution and power-class transformers that meet customer requirements, IEEE/ANSI standards, and internal engineering procedures.
- Prepare engineering documentation, including Bills of Materials (BOMs), drawings, and material quotations for Purchasing, Sales, Manufacturing, and Test teams.
- Support manufacturing and testing activities by responding to production questions, customer service inquiries, and factory test follow-ups.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including design optimization and aluminum-conductor strategies (such as transitioning to aluminum round wire).
- Lead the development and implementation of Large Power Class Substation Transformers (138 kV, 650 BIL).
- Analyze new proposals, specifications, and product concepts to determine feasibility and engineering requirements.
- Apply advanced engineering principles to plan, coordinate, and recommend solutions for complex technical challenges.
- Monitor production schedules and manage engineering workload to ensure deadlines are met.
- Evaluate and process engineering change requests; revise and reissue production files as needed.
- Support inventory reduction efforts by ensuring proper use of surplus or obsolete materials.
- Review and approve new vendors based on technical suitability and product quality.
- Provide engineered solutions, assist with troubleshooting, and summarize findings for root-cause investigations.
- Promote and uphold safe engineering and manufacturing practices across all processes.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
- 5 years of experience for Principal Engineer level (advanced degrees count as one additional year).
- Proven design experience with distribution or power transformers.
- Experience with industrial power products and helical power designs.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and AutoCAD.
- Ability to read drawings, technical documents, and detailed instructions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for small-group or one-on-one settings.
- Ability to apply sound engineering judgment to solve problems with concrete variables in standardized situations.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.