Principal Engineer Jobs in Kentucky

Job Description
BAE Systems, a leading defense contractor and Fortune 500 Company, is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining to join our Naval weapon systems team in Louisville, Kentucky. At BAE Systems, we value our workforce and their well-being. We prioritize safety, offer generous benefits, and promote work life balance, like a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.

Our ideal candidate will challenge our current operations and focus on improving all facets of our machining processes across the site. The Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining will be one of the leaders in machining innovation across the Production Value Stream and will be at the forefront of problem solving and resolution to technical production barriers. He/She will be responsible for ensuring technical compliance to manufacturing processes, policies, and procedures while providing innovative solutions to our cross-functional teams to improve customer delivery, cost and schedule.

As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining, you will…

• Provide strategic technical direction and guidance on complex projects, influencing technical decisions and ensuring alignment with business goals
• Work with cross-functional teams, including design, quality, and production, to ensure seamless integration of machining processes
• Develop and optimize new machining processes, improve existing ones, and create necessary tooling and fixtures to improve efficiency, quality, and safety
• Identify new or additional equipment needs related to existing or new product manufacture
• Evaluate new or used equipment to determine benefits and return on investment, ability to maintain the physical and dimensional requirements of components, assemblies and products, and ability to meet safety and ergonomic requirements
• Prepare BOE's and appropriations for approvals and administrator spending of budgeted funding for tooling, fixtures, and equipment
• Monitor machine performances and work with Maintenance & Operations to coordinate preventative maintenance schedules and tooling & equipment calibration
• Identifying and resolving complex technical issues related to machining processes, equipment and product quality
• Provide technical support to machinists & shop personnel, Operations and Scheduling
• Work with Quality Engineering to implement and maintain quality control measures throughout the machining process to include monitoring, periodic and final inspections
• Create and maintain documentation for routers & work instructions, tooling & equipment specifications, and engineering changes
• Create and maintain adequate documentation for analysis research, and historical records related to machining processes
• Collaborate with Design, Quality and Operations to resolve manufacturing issues
• Support training and development of shop and floor personnel in machining best practices

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• B.S. degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline or overall equivalent experience
• Proficiency in using Siemens NX software for design & modeling of fixtures, components & parts, and connected to machine programming (highly preferred).
• Experience with Vericut or other machining simulation software
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining (Lathes, Turning, Milling, Hobbing, Routers, Cutters, Grinding, Drilling, EDM, Machine Centers), manual machining, and related equipment, tooling & fixturing
• Strong familiarity with GD&T, blueprint reading, and machine tolerances
• Experience with MRP type systems and shop floor data collection
• Knowledge of materials and metallurgy relevant to maching operations
• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, both verbally and in writing
• Knowledge of quality control procedures, inspection requirements, and relevant industry standards
• Ability to plan, execute, and manage complex projects, ensuring they are completed successfully on-time and with high-quality results
• Strong problem-solving, priority setting, team engagement, communication and project management skills
• Proficiency of MS Office Suite products (SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.)

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Defense Contracting Experience
• 7+ years in a machine and manufacturing operation/environment
• Excellent time management, interpersonal and leadership skills
• Experience with the programming of multiple head configurations
• Experience with the programming of complex 3,4,5 axis mills, and multi-axis vertical & horizontal lathes
• Directing the creation of ROM's, BOE and quoting of equipment & tooling
• Professional Certifications (PMP, CQE, Six Sigma, ISO, Problem Solving, etc.).
• Program/Project Management (PMP highly favored)
• Experience in utilizing Lean manufacturing methods to reduce costs & improve quality
• Experience in value stream mapping, Visio, and the layout of machining operations

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems Platforms & Services
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.