Eaton’s ES AMER ARS PDCAD division is currently seeking a Principal Engineer. This role will take place out of our facility in Arden, NC. We are able to offer relocation assistance for qualified candidates within the United States.The Principal Engineer is responsible for the design and product development of industry-leading medium voltage motor control assemblies. The product line subject to this opening produces medium voltage adjustable frequency drives and fixed-speed starters components and assemblies.  This role is responsible for performing a wide variety of engineering and technical tasks involving the application of engineering knowledge and the development of solutions to complex problems pertaining to products, software, hardware, materials, manufacturing processes, routine and type tests (including regulatory compliance), and adaptations for unique customer applications.  The expected annual salary range for this role is $113000 - $165000 a year.  Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. What you’ll do:Select engineering techniques to problem-solve, perform root-cause analysis, and make design recommendations using domain knowledge and six-sigma methodologies.Participate as a team member or serve as the leader of cross-functional project design teams engaged in stage-gate product development framework (activity matrix).Provide guidance advice to manufacturing, front end order fulfillment and applications engineering or other junior engineers on areas of expertise.  Participate in defining engineering approaches including the planning and scheduling of work, ensures successful completion of assigned projects within the budgeted time and cost constraints.Execute all design, development, and related technical tasks required to maintain the product line. Develop product designs which may require the implementation of unique solutions.Initiate and prepare specifications for products, equipment, and processes while maintaining awareness and control of costs.Travel for compliance type testing at remote laboratories, and support field commissioning of unique assemblies. Perform digital, analog, and power electronics circuit design, simulation, measurement, and analysis utilizing computer aided engineering and instrumentation tools Develop and debug interface, driver, and application firmware modules utilizing embedded C or assembly programming as required in both real time operating system and custom module scheduling environments.  Produce intellectual property on a regular basis and is on the leading edge of field of expertise.Design to meet safety, EMC, and agency approval standards.  Contributes to organizational technical and business strategy.Must be capable of producing effective engineering communications by writing articles for trade and technical publications, presenting papers, preparing patent disclosures, and creating/changing engineering documentation including specifications, drawings, and testing reports.Participate in codes and standards activities related to product line technology.Qualifications:Required (Basic) Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent study from an accredited institution.5 years of experience with embedded programming.5 years of experience with power electronics.Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.Preferred Qualifications:Graduate degree in Engineering from an accredited institution. Professional Engineering licenseIEEE membership, preferably the IAS society and industry conference attendance history.3 years of experience in design for Six Sigma.Skills:Advanced Power Electronics & Medium Voltage Systems ExpertiseDeep knowledge of medium‑voltage motor control, multi‑level adjustable frequency drives, modulation techniques, harmonic mitigation, power quality, efficiency impacts, long‑cable effects, and advanced flux control.Structured Product Development & Six SigmaStrong experience with Design for Six Sigma, Six Sigma methodologies, and Stage‑Gate product development, including disciplined design processes, testing, and lab report generation.Power Electronics Design Hands‑on experience with power semiconductor devices (thyristors, MOSFETs, IGBTs, IGCTs), magnetics, low‑inductance bus design, PCB layout, interconnects, and manufacturable power electronics assemblies.Simulation, Modeling & Digital ValidationProficiency with circuit and system simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink/Simscape, PLECs, EMTP), finite‑element and magnetic analysis tools, and real‑time hardware‑in‑the‑loop platforms (e.g., OPAL‑RT).Thermal, CFD & Multiphysics AnalysisStrong understanding of thermal design for power electronics, including FEA heat‑transfer analysis, CFD simulation, and optimization techniques for robust, high‑reliability designs.Standards, Compliance & MeasurementWorking knowledge of medium‑voltage drive and MV control standards (UL, IEEE, NEMA) and demonstrated experience using advanced MV power electronics instrumentation and measurement techniques.CAD, Manufacturing & Configuration ManagementProficiency with CAD tools (AutoCAD, Altium/PCAD), 3D geometry oversight, materials selection, BOM structuring by work center, and practical manufacturing knowledge of PCBs, harnesses, and electrical components.Project Leadership & Customer EngagementAbility to lead small to mid‑size development projects, communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, analyze complex application issues to root cause, and travel as needed to support manufacturing and customers.Additional Information:Willing to travel up to 10% in support of design activities including customer support, testing, and supplier interfaceOn-site work with flex working arrangements agreed upon with direct manager, such as remote-virtual one-day per week, compressed schedule, etc. Willingness to collaborate with global development team roster in Microsoft Teams meetings occasional non-core local hours.Second language fluency is desirable, preferably Chinese, Portuguese, Hindi, or Spanish.#LI-HA1We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.Hiring Manager:Thomas FarrRecruiter:Hanna MacDonaldHR Business Partner:Jerry Dee DavisFunction:Research & Development EngineeringWork Type:OnsiteCareer Category:ExpertJob ID:59549Referral Program:Global ProgramLocation:Arden, North Carolina, USA, 28704Department:Research & Development Engineering