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First Principles Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As R&D Manager on the Ninja team in Needham, MA, you'll lead a small group of engineers through the full arc of product development - from first principles to production-ready hardware - while ...

$125 - $150/hr

Develop and validate first-principles and mechanistic models for key unit operations and process systems, capturing the physics of heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and reaction ...

Development Engineer

Wilmington, NC · On-site

$85K - $117K/yr

Apply the scientific method and engineering first principles to diagnose root-cause limitations in manufacturing processes; design and execute well-controlled experiments to validate solutions

Development Engineer

Wilmington, NC · On-site

$85K - $117K/yr

Apply the scientific method and engineering first principles to diagnose root-cause limitations in manufacturing processes; design and execute well-controlled experiments to validate solutions

TCA & Thrusters Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

You will pair first-principles analytical design with hands-on manufacturing and test to drive rapid design/build/test cycles. The ideal candidate blends sharp analytical instincts with a builder ...

Development Engineer

Wilmington, NC · On-site

$85K - $117K/yr

Apply the scientific method and engineering first principles to diagnose root-cause limitations in manufacturing processes; design and execute well-controlled experiments to validate solutions

Develop and validate first-principles and mechanistic models for key unit operations and process systems, capturing the physics of heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and reaction ...

Development Engineer

Concord, NC · On-site

$85K - $117K/yr

Apply the scientific method and engineering first principles to diagnose root-cause limitations in manufacturing processes; design and execute well-controlled experiments to validate solutions

By tackling operations optimization from first principles with an AI-native stack, we're able to deliver unprecedented results at a breakneck speed for our customers. We're looking for first ...

WI · On-site

NVIDIA is seeking a Senior Process Architect for DriveOS to harmonize automotive process engineering with first-principles judgment, enabling scalable, evidence-based development across safety ...

Showing results 41-60

First Principles information

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$42K

$148.5K

$191.5K

How much do first principles jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for first principles in the United States is $148,509.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,500.00 and $173,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What cities are hiring for First Principles jobs?

Cities with the most First Principles job openings:

What states have the most First Principles jobs?

States with the most job openings for First Principles jobs include:

Infographic showing various First Principles job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $148,509 per year, or $71.4 per hour.

Manager, Engineering - R&D

Needham, MA • On-site

SharkNinja
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


SharkNinja rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 161 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Manager, Engineering - R&D

Needham, MA (Onsite)

We build products people genuinely love. As R&D Manager on the Ninja team in Needham, MA, you'll lead a small group of engineers through the full arc of product development - from first principles to production-ready hardware - while helping each person on your team grow into their best work.

What you'll do

  • Lead, hire, and develop a team of engineers across design studies, CAD execution, prototyping, and design verification
  • Own designs end-to-end: drive fast iteration, apply sound engineering judgment, and hold the bar on quality, cost, and manufacturability
  • Optimize designs continuously for DFM, materials, cost efficiency, and consumer value
  • Collaborate with Product Development teams in the UK and China and cross-functional partners to get great ideas across the finish line

What you bring

  • B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
  • 4+ years in product development, ideally in a fast-paced, high-output environment
  • Proven track record delivering robust solutions to complex engineering problems and mentoring the engineers around you
  • Strong fundamentals in mechanical engineering and physics, including fluid mechanics
  • Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical fabrication (power tools, sheet metal, wiring)
  • Familiarity with small appliance components: sensors, motors, heaters, PCBAs, test equipment
  • Excellent CAD skills; advanced Excel for test data analysis
  • First-principles problem-solving instincts and a fail-fast, progress-over-perfection mindset
  • Clear, direct communicator - equally comfortable presenting to engineers and to non-technical stakeholders

This is a fully in-person role at our Needham, MA office 


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