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Principal Motor Engineer

Milwaukee Tool · Brookfield, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the most advanced motor you have designed. What made it hard and what did you innovate?

What they are checking: Principal-level depth in motor design and a record of pushing performance forward.

Tell me about mentoring engineers in motor design.

What they are checking: Growing team expertise, a key expectation for principal engineers.

What would you do

A global motor team wants to reuse an existing motor on a new platform that you think needs a new design. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Influencing with data across teams while weighing reuse savings against performance.

How do you decide which new motor technology is worth investing in?

What they are checking: Strategic judgment about where research effort will pay off for users.

About the work

How would you push power density in a brushless motor for a cordless tool without overheating it?

What they are checking: Deep understanding of electromagnetic, thermal and material limits working together.

How do you choose between interior and surface permanent magnet rotor designs for a tool?

What they are checking: Judgment about torque, speed range, magnet retention and cost tradeoffs.

How do you validate an electromagnetic simulation against test results, and what do you do when they disagree?

What they are checking: Rigor in correlating models with hardware rather than trusting either blindly.

How would you reduce reliance on rare earth magnets while keeping performance?

What they are checking: Awareness of supply and cost risks and creative design options.

How do you work with manufacturing to make sure a new winding or lamination design can be built at volume?

What they are checking: Design for manufacturing at scale, not just prototype success.

How do you design a motor to survive repeated stalls and heavy abuse on a jobsite?

What they are checking: Thinking about demagnetization, insulation and mechanical durability under real use.

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The full job description

As published by Milwaukee Tool.

Job Description: Principal Engineer - Motors Principal Motor Engineer INNOVATE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES! At Milwaukee Tool we firmly believe that our People and our Culture are the secrets to our success – so we give you unlimited access to everything you need to create disruptive new technologies and solutions on our engineering teams. Our Engineering Team is responsible for giving life to the batteries, motors, and electronics that power solutions changing the lives of our users. Every developmental phase of these critical components happens in-house under the watch of this team. We continue to invest in a mix of mechanical and electrical engineering expertise to design and develop leadership in motor capabilities. We create Best-in-Class products by leveraging advanced analysis tools, extensive hands-on testing regimes, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, and cross-functional agility. Behind our doors you’ll be empowered every day to own it, drive it, and do what it takes to design and develop the biggest breakthroughs in the industry. Meanwhile, you’ll have the support and resources of the fastest-growing brand in the construction industry to make it happen. Year after year, our team continues to make significant breakthroughs in the industry. We’re just getting started. To learn more about our story click  HERE The Principal Motors Engineer will collaborate with local cross-functional, Global Motor Engineering, and Operations teams in the design of motor solutions for products by creating and executing test plans to verify motor performance and thermal limits per project requirements. You will identify engineering trends and drive strategies to guide the organization’s technical direction and ensure consistent and efficient mass-produced Milwaukee motors and products around the world. You’ll also be DISRUPTIVE through these duties and responsibilities: • Make clean-sheet motor designs of brushed and brushless DC motors and AC universal motors to optimize performance tailored to product requirements. • Perform electromagnetic design changes to laminations to improve existing designs. • Manage and lead a small to medium sized team of engineers in the designing, prototyping, testing, and troubleshooting of motors for high complexity projects. • Establish and drive test regimens for components and assemblies within scope of the project and organization to aid in design verification and failure modes. • Conduct hands-on experiments of power tools, perform simulations, and draw concise, logical conclusions by analyzing data. • Perform root cause failure analysis of motor test failures. • Drive supplier relationships to develop part/product specifications that meet performance requirements while falling within process capabilities. • Mentor and coach the team in engineering best practices including task management, Gantt charts, root cause analysis, motor design, and manufacturing. • Champion technology investigations including system requirements, architecture definitions, and reusability strategies. • Establish and maintain a strong awareness and database of competitive offerings, product strategies, and business climate to shape a best-in-class roadmap. • Quickly, effectively, and candidly frame-up and escalate business risks/opportunities to senior leadership. Develop plans to evaluate and assess the emerging technology market space to fit/compliment Milwaukee Tool product initiatives and development. • Effectively communicate and motivate up, down and across the organization to a diverse range of technical and non-technical team members. • Drive urgency in project schedules and accountability for establishing and achieving key project metrics that meet the organization’s needs. • Ensure the team is given the time and resources required to succeed by creating and managing robust project roadmaps and resource plans with converged project scope. • Develop plans to evaluate and assess the emerging technology market space to fit/compliment Milwaukee Tool product initiatives and development. What TOOLS you’ll bring with you: • Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. • 7+ years of experience in a related design field. • 2+ years of leadership experience • Experience using CAD. • Proficient in theory of Brushless DC Motors. • Familiarity with Brushed PMDC, Universal, Induction and Switched Reluctance motors and theory. • Extensive knowledge of motor controls, battery technology, vibration, and sound analysis. • Understanding of motor assembly and motor component design/manufacturing and what drives cost and durability. • Self-motivated, organized, efficient, process oriented with a strong work ethic. • Excellent problem-solving skills, exercises independent judgement and works well under pressure in a dynamic environment. • Ability to travel 10% of the time (domestic and international). Other TOOLS we prefer you to have: • Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. • Proficiency with FEA. • Understanding of metal stamping, steel machining, injection molding component processes and motor assembly manufacturing processes. We provide these great perks and benefits: • Robust health, dental and vision insurance plans. • Generous 401 (K) savings plan. • Education assistance. • On-site wellness, fitness center, food, and coffee service. • And many more, check out our benefits site HERE . Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.

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