At PAR Systems, automation is more than assembling parts; it’s turning visionary ideas into tangible, high-impact solutions. As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will shape the future of our automation technology, setting the standard for mechanical design excellence and driving innovation across the company. This is a leadership role that goes beyond individual projects: your technical vision will influence our processes, standards, and long-term strategy.
Success Criteria:
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will serve as the technical authority for mechanical engineering, guiding and mentoring senior and mid-level engineers while fostering a culture of innovation, best practices, and technical rigor. You will lead complex design projects from concept through detailed engineering, collaborating closely with Controls, Software, Manufacturing, Project Management and Sales teams to ensure that solutions meet customer requirements and PAR’s high standards.
Your work will include driving proof-of-concept prototypes, feasibility studies, and lab validation, all while pushing the boundaries of automation technology and solving the most challenging engineering problems. You will also lead internal and external design reviews and occasionally travel to customer sites to provide hands-on technical leadership, troubleshoot complex systems, and support installation and commissioning.
In addition to technical project leadership, you will provide strategic guidance on new business initiatives, identifying opportunities for innovation, improving reliability, and expanding PAR’s capabilities in life sciences and automated assembly. You will define and refine mechanical design standards and scalable processes that improve efficiency, repeatability, and quality across the company.
You’ve learned about what you'll be doing, here are the benefits you'll gain when you join PAR Systems:
- Global team recognized for their passion of inventing
- First-of-a-kind product culture and project exposure
- Training and development from industry-leading experts
- Forward thinking benefit programs that include: 401(k) & matching; Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance; Disability & Life Insurance; PTO, Paid Holidays, & Parental Leave for both Parents; Tuition Reimbursement
PAR Systems is an equal opportunity employer and we value individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or any other status protected by applicable law. If selected for an interview, please advise our Human Resources department if you require accommodation during the interview or assessment process and we will support your accessibility needs. We offer market competitive pay and benefits based upon the candidate’s skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Our starting rate of pay for this salaried position is targeted at $130,000 – 160,000 annually.
Preferred Qualifications- BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering
- 12+ years of experience designing advanced automated systems, with demonstrated leadership on high-impact projects
- Mastery of 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) and advanced methodologies to design assemblies, machined parts, welded fabrications and sheet metal components
- Experience sizing, selecting and deploying common automation components, including servo motors, pneumatics, photoelectric/laser and proximity sensors, and robotic packages
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and drive complex projects to successful completion
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills
- US Person
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience designing high-speed and/or high-volume automation machinery
- Large-scale, modular automated systems experience ($10M+)
- Precision tooling design experience
- Experience with cam-driven or continuous-motion automation systems
- Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing and its application to tooling design
- Experience working in a regulated environment (ISO 9001/ISO 13485)
- Experience establishing and improving engineering standards, processes, and best practices
Top Skills
What We Do
PAR Systems is a world leader in providing full-life-cycle automation solutions for critical material handling and robotic applications that drive customer quality, safety, and productivity. Since 1961, PAR has created fully integrated systems, which are often first-of-a-kind manufacturing solutions, for a broad range of industries including aerospace, hazardous material/nuclear, life science and process automation, marine, defense, heavy material handling, CO2 lasers, non-destructive testing systems and industrial. PAR Systems is headquartered in Shoreview, Minnesota, where its Automation Solutions and Material Handling groups are located. OakRiver Technology, a PAR Systems company designs and manufactures automation equipment for the medical device and specialized high tech industries, located in Oakdale, Minnesota. Jered and Marine Systems Technology, PAR Systems companies, manufacturer mission-critical systems, such as aircraft elevators, steering gear, anchor windlass systems, advanced fireproof technologies and door systems for marine and naval applications.
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