Principal Engineer (Tech Lead)

Parker Hannifin
Parker Hannifin

Irvine, CA, USA

USD 122,910-215,170 / year

Posted on Oct 31, 2026
Principal Engineer (Tech Lead)

Group: Aerospace Group N. America
Division: Commercial Flight Controls (CFCD)
Location
: USA MFCD CFCD IRVINE CA
Job Family : Engineering
Job Type : Regular
Posted : Oct 30, 2026
Job ID: 70032

Job Description

At Parker Aerospace, we develop technologies and innovative solutions that enable reliable, efficient and increasingly sustainable flight for the lifecycle of the aircraft, including aftermarket support. Our passionate people with deep engineering expertise, together with our breadth of differentiated technologies, ensure that we make the extraordinary happen and continue to shape the future of aviation in partnership with our customers.

As a member of our team, you are instrumental in fulfilling our mission: 'Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow.' Pursuing a career at Parker presents unlimited opportunities for both professional and personal development. Working with some of the most brilliant minds in the industry, your contributions will be pivotal in developing innovative technologies and products, significantly contributing to Parker’s goal of addressing the world’s most pressing engineering challenges. At Parker, our team members belong, matter and make a difference.

The Commercial Flight Controls Division is a global leader in aerospace flight controls. We are the preferred supplier of flight control solutions for the commercial, regional, business jet and advanced air mobility marketplace by offering a premier customer experience with superior engineered products that exceed our customer and regulatory requirements.

We’ve broken ground with more-electric technology and electromechanical flight control systems. Looking ahead, we’re further improving flight control actuation for traditional and advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft with new technologies and manufacturing advancements.

Position Summary

The Principal Engineer/Technical Lead provides technical expertise and leadership in an engineering discipline, product, or systems field. Researches and carries out complex engineering assignments that result in the introduction of new technologies, products, or processes. Contributes to and has responsibility for the completion of significant assignments with broad product, technology, customer, and strategic business impact. Develops and recommends solutions to unique technical challenges. Provides technical oversight or direction. May have customer interface to clarify and resolve specific technical issues. This role will not have direct reports.

Essential Functions

  • Provides expert technical advice and recommendations, leads internal and customer design reviews, and proposes methodology for problem-solving and analysis on complex design or customer issues. Researches and develops technology with an R&D and product development focus.

  • Provides expert technical information concerning manufacturing or processing techniques, materials, properties, and process advantages and limitations which affect long range plant and product engineering planning by carefully analyzing and applying advanced engineering and scientific concepts.

  • Communicates and coordinates with other technical resources to provide recommendations, lessons learned, methods for problem-solving, analysis methodology, etc. to maximize contribution to multiple projects or programs.

  • Makes technical proposals and presentations to various internal and customer groups to influence business decisions. Maintains and takes steps to protect company intellectual property.

  • Conducts analysis and/or tests pertaining to the development of new designs, methods, materials, equipment or processes and completes required documentation by determining required actions, performing or directing completion of tasks and publishing findings and/or results.

  • Compiles and analyzes operation, test, and research data to establish performance standards for newly designed or modified products or systems. Assesses the feasibility and soundness of proposed engineering evaluation tests, products, or equipment when necessary data are insufficient or conformation by testing is advisable.

  • Investigates, researches, and operationalizes new technologies in specialty or related areas to improve cost and performance by applying advanced engineering design methods, theories, and research techniques.

  • Maintains advanced level of professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing technical publications, benchmarking best practices, and/or participating in professional associations.

  • Acts as consultant to management on technical and project-related matters. Serves as a functional expert. Identifies mentoring and development needs; serves as a mentor for other employees.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor degree in engineering or a science/technical discipline; Master degree preferred. Technical knowledge and experience that meets the qualification requirements of an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) or Organization Designed Authority (ODA)-Authorized Representative (AR), a plus.
  • 10-12 years of related engineering experience.
  • Comprehensive, advanced knowledge of product or domain engineering theories (e.g., mechanical, electronic, packaging, etc.), principles, industry practices, concepts, techniques, government regulations, and policies.
  • Demonstrated ability to research, develop, and integrate new technologies.
  • Ability to communicate and influence varied audiences to gain support or resolve issues. Makes effective presentations on complex topics to top management, customers, and/or other key stakeholders.
  • Ability to apply and integrate knowledge of other related engineering areas.
  • Proficient with software and specialized data analysis, and engineering design tools.
  • Ability to establish and track performance to goals and objectives to complete complex or major projects and provide direction to the team at project milestones.
  • Ability to respond to significant inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or other internal teams.

Come join the Parker Aerospace Team!

Competitive Compensation

  • Pay Range: $122,910 to $215,170 annually

  • Participation in Annual Incentive Plan

Benefit & Retirement Plans

Parker offers competitive benefit programs, including:

  • Comprehensive coverage for medical, prescription drugs, dental, vision, voluntary optional life, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance and critical illness insurance with competitive premium cost.
  • 401(k) Plan with company matching contributions at 100% of the first 5% of pay
  • Company provided defined-contribution retirement plan with annual contribution equal to 3% of pay
  • Career development and tuition reimbursement
  • Other benefits including paid parental leave, short and long-term disability programs, adoption assistance, a Care.com membership and financial planning assistance are provided at no cost to you.
  • Supplemental benefit programs including identity protection, legal protection, and pet wellness are available at competitive rates.
  • Paid Time Off and 13 Company-Paid Holidays.

Drug-Free Workplace
In accordance with Parker’s policies and applicable state laws, Parker provides for a drug-free workplace. Therefore, all applicants seeking employment with Parker will be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment.

This position is subject to meeting U.S. export compliance and/or U.S Government contracting citizenship eligibility requirements.

Additional Comments:

The essential functions have been provided as example of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.

Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.

(“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”)

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission