Principal Engineer - Design for Automation

Location: Stratford, CT     Relocation: Possible     Salary Range: $178,500.00 - $331,500.00  

WHAT WE'RE DOING

At Sikorsky, we have been helping the future arrive since 1923. From pioneering vertical flight to advancing the next generation of aerospace technologies, we have continually redefined what's possible.

Today, Sikorsky Innovations is focused on what's next. As we develop the next generation of rotorcraft, we are transforming how aircraft are engineered for production by integrating advanced automation, digital engineering, robotics, advanced materials, and intelligent manufacturing technologies from the earliest stages of design.

THE WORK

Sikorsky Innovations is seeking a Principal Engineer – Design for Automation to help establish the engineering methodology that will define how the next generation of Sikorsky aircraft is designed for automated production.

Working at the intersection of product design, advanced manufacturing, automation, and New Product Introduction (NPI), you will develop the engineering methods, design standards, and best practices that enable future rotorcraft to be designed for highly automated manufacturing from day one.

This role focuses on influencing product design at the earliest stages of development. You will partner with engineering teams to embed Design for Automation principles into future aircraft, ensuring manufacturing readiness is treated as fundamental design requirements.

Leveraging experience launching new products, standing up advanced manufacturing cells, and collaborating across engineering and manufacturing organizations, you will help establish the design processes that connect product innovation with next-generation manufacturing capabilities.

As a key member of our team, you will:

• Develop and implement Design for Automation methodologies for next-generation rotorcraft programs.
• Establish engineering standards, design guidelines, and best practices that enable highly automated manufacturing and assembly.
• Partner with aircraft design teams throughout the product development lifecycle to incorporate automation, manufacturability, affordability, quality, and production readiness into product designs.
• Define engineering design requirements that enable efficient, scalable, and highly automated production systems.
• Apply lessons learned from New Product Introduction programs and automated manufacturing environments to influence future aircraft architectures.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, industrial engineering, automation, and operations teams to translate manufacturing capabilities into engineering design standards.
• Evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies and integrate their capabilities into future engineering methodologies and product development processes.
• Serve as a technical leader for Design for Automation across Sikorsky's next-generation aircraft development efforts.

Please Note: U.S. Citizenship is required, as most assigned programs and projects are ITAR restricted.

WHY JOIN US

This is an opportunity to influence how the next generation of aircraft is engineered before the first prototype is built.

At Lockheed Martin, our employees solve some of the world's most complex engineering challenges. In this role, you will help define the engineering methodology that connects innovative aircraft design with advanced manufacturing, enabling future rotorcraft to be designed for affordability, automation, scalability, and production from the very beginning.

Standard Job Description: Researches, plans, designs and develops mechanical products and systems such as instruments, controls, robots, engines, machines and mechanical, thermal hydraulic or heat transfer systems for production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy. 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 15 or more years of progressive engineering experience in product design, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing engineering, or New Product Introduction.
• Demonstrated experience designing complex mechanical systems while partnering closely with manufacturing organizations.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction from concept through production launch.
• Experience developing or implementing automated manufacturing cells, production systems, or advanced manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing, Design for Assembly, and Design for Automation principles.
• Experience developing engineering standards, design methodologies, or technical best practices.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional engineering teams and drive technical direction without direct authority.

Desired Skills

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience developing clean-sheet products or next-generation platforms.
• Experience designing products for highly automated manufacturing environments.
• Experience integrating manufacturing requirements into product design during early development.
• Knowledge of robotics, digital engineering, digital twins, Model-Based Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering, Industry 4.0, or intelligent manufacturing technologies.
• Experience with advanced composites, lightweight structures, or complex mechanical assemblies.
• Systems-thinking mindset with the ability to balance product performance, manufacturability, automation, affordability, and production scalability.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence multidisciplinary engineering organizations.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $178500.00 - $331500.00

At  Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.  

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.