Principal Product Engineer

This is how you make impact as a Principal Product EngineerPurpose of the RoleAs a Principal Product Engineer, you are the technical authority, product strategist, and engineering representative for a defined customer portfolio. You combine deep electronics expertise with product ownership, account engineering, and tactical industrialization leadership.You are responsible for the complete product configuration, from quotation and feasibility through industrialization and full lifecycle management. You ensure that products are well‑designed, manufacturable, testable, cost‑effective, and aligned with customer and Neways interests.You act as the technical right hand of the Program Manager, the left hand of the System Architect, and the primary technical point of contact for customers. This position reports hierarchically to the Director Quality & Engineering and operationally to the Global Proposal Manager.Your ImpactYou own the technical configuration and integrity of customer products.You lead engineering activities for new product introductions (NPI) and in cooperation with local sites like AE teams. You ensure accurate, complete, and timely cost price calculations and feasibility assessments based on the input from the AE teams at local sites. You are capable of challenging these cost price calculations. You coordinate across multiple Neways production sites to define and execute the industrialization strategy.You balance customer expectations, technical feasibility, and Neways’ operational and commercial interests.You ensure that every product is manufacturable, testable, reliable, and compliant from day one.This is what we offerAt Neways, you join an international, fast‑growing, innovation‑driven organization. You work in a project‑based environment surrounded by professionals who strive to make a difference together. We invest in your development and give you room to grow.You can count on:A competitive salary aligned with your experience.27 vacation days + 13 ADV days.Holiday allowance and an attractive bicycle plan.Flexible working hours and partial remote work options.A solid pension scheme and travel expense reimbursement.This is what you bring to the team Educational background:Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechatronics, Technical Business Administration, or similar.Technical Expertise:Deep knowledge of:Electronics & micro‑electronics.PCB/PCBA design and manufacturing.Cable harnessing, connectors, sensors.Embedded hardware and system integration.IPC‑610/620 and mechanical standards.Ability to interpret schematics, BOMs, PCB layouts, and technical documentation.Understanding of DFM/DFT, industrialization, and supply chain constraints.Experience with product decomposition into sub‑configurations.Experience designing production concepts with SCM and Operations.Manages sub‑projects across multiple domains.Communicates directly with customers and multidisciplinary teams.Strong in escalations and cross‑domain coordination.Additional Competencies:Experience with production, test development, and business processes.Tactical skills: technical project management, product release, customer contact, lifecycle management.Operational skills: cost price calculation, feasibility studies, FMEA, control plans, BOM management.Strong communication skills in Dutch and English.Analytical, structured, and able to maintain overview under pressure.Your daily core responsibilities includeProduct Ownership & Tactical Account EngineeringEnd‑responsible for the product configuration during quotation, feasibility, and industrialization phases.Fully review and understand product configurations, standards, and customer requirements.Ensure accurate, complete, and timely cost price calculations.Define a clear industrialization process, including roles and responsibilities across Neways sites.After order receipt, lead the execution of the industrialization process.Maintain ownership of the full product configuration throughout the lifecycle.Act as the primary technical contact for the customer.Apply IPC‑610/620 knowledge and mechanical standards to ensure compliance and manufacturability.Perform product decomposition into sub‑configurations to support cost, manufacturability, and process design.Collaborate with SCM Engineers and Operations to design production concepts, supported by engineers from various Neways locations.2. Account Engineering & Customer FocusTechnically responsible for the product portfolio of assigned customers.Ensure manufacturability and testability from the earliest design phase.Communicate with customers about technical content, issues, and decisions.Monitor and report progress on engineering deliverables and product introductions.Align closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Test Engineering.Manage BOM accuracy, product data, and component engineering activities in the ERP system.Evaluate engineering changes for completeness, manufacturability, and impact.Provide DfX (Design for Excellence) assessments and recommendations.3. Lead Engineering & Functional Design LeadershipProvide technical leadership and coaching to project teams.Manage domain‑specific sub‑projects (HW, CAD, CD&E, SE, VHDL, etc.).Create and manage domain WBS, tasks, planning, and tracking.Ensure work is executed according to design methods, procedures, and quality standards.Support quotations, feasibility studies, FMEA, control plans, and project proposals.Identify the need for technical consultancy and escalate when necessary.Act as technical coach and reference point for team members.4. Interfaces & Stakeholder ManagementAct as the primary technical interface for:Project ManagerSystem ArchitectDomain DesignersManufacturing EngineeringTest EngineeringSCM EngineeringOperationsCustomers (project leader, defect manager, configuration manager)Organize and lead technical project meetings and ensure proper reporting.Represent the engineering sub‑team in both routine and escalated situations.5. Knowledge ManagementMaintain and develop expertise in electronics, micro‑electronics, PCB/PCBA design, cabling, and system integration.Maintain demonstrable knowledge of IPC‑610/620 and mechanical standards.Share knowledge and mentor colleagues.Ensure sufficient technical knowledge is available within the team.