Principal Design Engineer

With a career at The Home Depot, you can be yourself and also be part of something bigger.

Position Purpose:

• Pivotal role in shaping the next generation of logistics and distribution facilities, ensuring they are optimized for capacity, efficiency, and future scalability
• Lead the conceptualization, planning, and development of innovative building design frameworks and methodologies for future THD Supply Chain buildings
• Collaborate cross-functionally, both internally and externally, to develop building designs that integrate advanced capabilities, throughput modeling, material handling systems, and productivity frameworks
• Position focuses on design & strategy for new DCs as well as automation projects
• Key Responsibilities
  • Design: Designing & building new innovative automated technology for The Home Depot and the Distribution Fulfillment Network
  • Project Management: Lead or assist in automation projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications
  • Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for improvement in warehouse automation processes to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve safety  Capacity and Throughput Optimization: Use advanced modeling techniques to develop designs that enhance operational efficiency, increase throughput, and maximize productivity
  • Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functionally (both internal and external) to model and align on how to best integrate systems such as conveyors, robotics, and automated machinery into building designs
  • New Capabilities: Work with analytics to determine which new capabilities are needed in new building designs, and then analyze scope of productivity. Partner cross-functionally to determine standards and how to best incorporate those capabilities
  • Industry Trends: Stay informed about emerging design technologies, building standards, and industry trends to ensure innovative and competitive building concepts
  • Documentation & Presentations: Produce comprehensive design documentation, presentations, and visualization to communicate building plans to stakeholders and leadership
• Preferred Qualifications
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or System Engineering
  • Extensive experience in conceptual design, strategic planning, and collaboration for large-scale infrastructure or building projects
  • Strong expertise in throughput modeling and productivity analysis
  • Exceptional problem-solving skills, with a keen ability to balance creativity with practical constraints
  • Proficient in design tools and modeling software, as well as data analysis for operational efficiency
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas to diverse audiences
  • Collaborative mindset and ability to influence cross-functional teams
  • Technical Skills: Knowledge of robotic systems, material handling equipment, and automation technologies. Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS), warehouse controls systems (WCS), and warehouse execution systems (WES).

​Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

• This position reports to Director, Supply Chain

• This position has 0 direct reports.

Travel Requirements:

• Typically requires overnight travel 20% to 50% of the time.

Physical Requirements:

• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:

• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be eighteen years of age or older.

• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

• Working knowledge of Tableau

• Working knowledge of presentation software (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint)

• Working knowledge of analytical/statistics software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, Stata)

• Working knowledge of HRIS software (e.g., IBM Kenexa, PeopleFluent, Tesseract)

• Proficient with data mining software (e.g., IBM Cognos Business Intelligence, Hadoop)

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with cross-functional teams

• Ability to develop and apply advanced mathematical/statistical techniques

• Ability to draw accurate conclusions from financial documentation

• Demonstrated project management skills

• Ability to convey complex or technical ideas and processes in easy-to-understand terms to diverse audiences

• Ability to negotiate, handle complaints, settle disputes, and resolve grievances with both internal and external customers

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or System Engineering

Minimum Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a high school diploma and/or GED.

Preferred Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job.

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

• 10

Preferred Years of Work Experience:

• 10

Minimum Leadership Experience:

• None

Preferred Leadership Experience:

• None

Certifications:

• Proficient in AutoCad

Competencies:

• Being Resilient  

• Courage

• Decision Quality               

• Manages Ambiguity

• Tech Savvy

• Collaborates

• Cultivates Innovation

• Manages Complexity

• Plans and Aligns

• Situational Adaptability

• Balance Stakeholders

• Communicates Effectively

• Financial Acumen

• Manages Conflict