Principal Mechanical Engineer

Ecolab is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. With annual sales of $15 Billion, Ecolab operates in over 170 countries and employs more than 48,000 associates. Our mission is to protect people and the vital resources necessary for life.

The Global Water Engineering Innovation team is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership for the development and support of industrial water treatment equipment. The ideal candidate combines deep mechanical engineering expertise with practical manufacturing experience and a track record of mentoring others.

This role supports Nalco Water, Downstream, and Food & Beverage businesses and partners closely with R&D, Product Management/Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to deliver new product development and continuous improvement.

What's in it for You:

• Opportunity to make an impact by advancing equipment used to help customers achieve clean water, safe food, abundant energy, and healthy environments.
• Work on a mix of new product development and lifecycle support in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package starting day 1 of employment (medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), company-paid pension, stock purchase plan, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more), subject to local offerings.

Position Details:

• Location: Naperville, IL
• Work arrangement: Onsite with periodic time in a shop/fabrication environment
• Travel: Up to 20% (as needed for supplier support, build/validation, and/or commissioning)

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with R&D and Product Management/Marketing on equipment innovation, translating concepts into manufacturable mechanical designs.
• Develop and maintain mechanical documentation packages (3D models, P&ID, construction and general arrangement drawings, BOMs) using CAD tools (SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD).
• Own mechanical designs throughout the product lifecycle, including sustaining engineering, cost reduction, reliability improvements, and obsolescence management.
• Lead hands-on troubleshooting during production builds; perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure designs and build practices meet Ecolab safety requirements and applicable global regulations/standards (e.g., OSHA, UL, CSA, IEC, CE), including appropriate guarding, labeling, and documentation.
• Develop and maintain mechanical standards, design guidelines, and best practices across the product portfolio to improve consistency, scalability, and manufacturability.
• Specify components and instrumentation for procurement and production; support supplier selection, technical reviews, and component standardization.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, DFMEA/PFMEA, and change management to ensure robust, compliant designs.
• Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex mechanical challenges, providing guidance and driving timely resolution.
• Coach and mentor engineers through formal and informal development to build technical capability and improve team effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Quality to resolve nonconformances; support investigations, containment, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Support installation, commissioning, and validation activities as needed (factory testing and/or field support) to ensure equipment meets performance requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of engineering experience supporting industrial equipment in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with 3D modeling and CAD to create mechanical drawings and P&IDs.
• Experience designing mechanical systems and assemblies for industrial equipment, including skids, frames, piping/tubing layouts, sheet metal, machined parts, and BOMs.
• Working knowledge of applicable mechanical design codes, safety requirements, and engineering practices (e.g., ASME, OSHA, UL, CSA, IEC, CE), including design for safe assembly, operation, and service.
• Experience supporting manufacturing builds and troubleshooting mechanical issues in production, test, and/or field environments using structured root cause analysis and corrective action methods.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Demonstrated ability to translate process and product requirements into practical mechanical design solutions and communicate technical documentation effectively to cross-functional stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with design analysis and engineering methods such as GD&T, tolerance stack-up, FEA, DFM/DFA, and material selection for industrial equipment applications.
• Experience with pumps, valves, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, piping systems, and fabrication/manufacturing processes such as welding, machining, and sheet metal.
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems (SAP preferred) and working within a document-controlled manufacturing environment, including engineering change management.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office and shop/fabrication environment with exposure to dust, fumes/odors, and noise; appropriate PPE is required as applicable.
• Ability to safely move around equipment builds and test areas, including standing and walking for periods of time.