Mechanical Procurement Engineer Senior Principal

We are seeking a highly experienced and technically skilled **Mechanical Procurement Engineer Sr. Principal** to join our team. In this senior-level role, you will serve as a critical bridge between our engineering programs and supply chain organization, applying deep technical expertise in mechanical systems to drive strategic procurement decisions in support of build-to-print and prototype mechanical assemblies for the Department of Defense (DoD). You will work closely with program engineers, designers, and Procurement Buyers/Supply Chain Administrators (SCAs) to ensure the successful sourcing, negotiation, and acquisition of machinery, equipment, and materials necessary to meet program objectives. This is a high-impact, highly autonomous role that requires exceptional technical judgment, strategic thinking, and the ability to solve complex procurement and engineering challenges with innovative solutions. What You Will Do: **Technical Procurement & Engineering Support** - Apply advanced knowledge of mechanical systems design and analysis to support sourcing decisions, SOW development, RFP preparation, and supplier proposal evaluations for build-to-print and prototype DoD assemblies - Read and interpret technical drawings, GD&T, engineering notes, and Technical Data Packages (TDPs) to ensure supplier understanding and compliance with program requirements - Manage and track engineering redlines and drawing updates, ensuring changes are accurately captured, reviewed, and dispositioned in a timely manner - Maintain and manage PLM system data (Aras, Windchill) including drawing releases, revision control, and engineering change management to ensure procurement activities are always aligned with the latest approved technical baseline **Process Development, Measurement & Auditing** - Lead the creation and documentation of procurement engineering processes and work instructions to standardize supplier sourcing, evaluation, and management activities - Establish KPIs and performance metrics to measure process effectiveness and drive continuous improvement - Conduct regular process audits to ensure compliance, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions **Supplier Management, Quality & Risk Mitigation** - Monitor supplier performance and actively support supplier quality activities including audits, corrective actions, and first article inspections Identify and mitigate supplier risks, ensuring suppliers meet quality management requirements including AS9100 and ISO 9001 - Collaborate with Supplier Quality Engineers to resolve non-conformances and drive improvement at the supplier level - Travel to supplier facilities to conduct vendor evaluations, audit manufacturing processes, and perform capacity and capability assessments to ensure suppliers can meet program requirements for DoD build-to-print and prototype manufacturing **Purchase Order Management & Logistics Coordination** - Partner with Procurement Buyers/SCAs to provide technical oversight across the purchase order lifecycle, ensuring POs accurately reflect technical requirements and are executed in alignment with program standards, schedule, and budget objectives - Serve as a technical liaison between engineering, procurement, and logistics teams, monitoring material flow and proactively engaging to resolve technical, schedule, or delivery challenges before they impact program milestones - Utilize ERP systems (Costpoint preferred) to manage procurement transactions, track open orders, monitor budgets, and maintain accurate program data **Negotiation & Cost Analysis** - Support Procurement Buyers/SCAs in supplier negotiations and source selection, leveraging technical knowledge to challenge cost positions and establish price objectives - Analyze pricing trends, manufacturing processes, and supplier operations to identify cost reduction opportunities and optimize material acquisitions in support of DoD program budgets and schedules **Strategic Planning & Leadership** - Parti…