SR R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER

Job Overview

The Digital Data Network (DDN) Business Unit is looking for a Sr. R&D Product Development Engineer (PDE) to design and develop socket, high speed connector and cable assembly solutions which are used inside of switches, servers and storage for data communication. Lead the design and development of next-generation connector, socket, and cable assembly solutions for Data Center, AI, Cloud, Networking, and Server applications. In this role you will be responsible for the design and documentation of new products, from market definition through production and release. Drive innovation through patent generation, invention disclosures, and competitive technology benchmarking.  You will conceive original ideas for new products/solutions and develop them into practical and economical models. You will determine specifications, perform engineering analysis, make preliminary sketches and designs, and coordinate support operations (such as fabrication engineering samples and testing). Collaborate with global cross-functional teams across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Simulation, PM, and Customer Engineering. Act as a key technical interface between customers and TE engineering teams during product development and qualification phases.  Support cost optimization, manufacturability improvements, and sustainability initiatives throughout the product lifecycle. Contribute to technology roadmaps and future product platform development. Interaction with customers, vendors, marketing and sales personnel, and other engineering areas during the pre-production stages of new products is also an important part of this role. 

Roles & Responsibilities:

•    Responsible for product development of Power connectors from market definition through production and release:
o    Work closely with the customer and TE sales/SA/FAE/PM in getting the right and clear VOC (voice of customer) and convert to a TE design conceptualization and preliminary product specification. 
o    Conceive concepts and perform feasibility studies.
o    Run mechanical and thermal simulations.
o    Make the engineering evaluation/proposal to the customer. 
o    Create the detailed design including 2D/3D drawings and perform DFMEA/tolerance analysis.
o    Build prototype samples and perform validation. 
o    Complete product qualification and finalize product specification.
o    Provide technical support to the Operations team including Quality and Production for efficiency improvement and safe launch.
o    Resolve product related issues to closure and manage the ECN/ECR/PCN (Engineering Change Notification/ Engineering Change release / Product Change Notification).
•    Build a deep understanding of the market and customer needs by fostering a connection between the business engineering teams and the customer engineering teams
•    Maintain a system level understanding of the customer application and the product design/concept necessary for providing a solution to the customers’ expectation. 
•    Follow the LEANPD Project Process to support the project team from the product development engineering (PDE) perspective to complete the new product development project on time, quality and budget. Drive the development and release of product, scale-up through stage-gate reviews, ensuring milestone commitments are maintained.
•    Provide technical support to customer, sales, PM and plant teams. Conduct necessary DFMEA, tests, engineering analysis, trouble shooting and verification. 
•    Work with global manufacturing resources, procurement, and outside suppliers to meet all TE technical, quality, and cost objectives.
•    Execute technical documentation to fully detail design drawings and requirements, engineering and product change notices, and design history files.

Required Skills:

•    Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent work experience.
•    Generally requires 5 years of relevant mechanical engineering work experience with electrical components, electrical devices, mechanical structure design, manufacturing tooling development (stamping, molding, assembly, plating), or manufacturing process development.
•    Knowledge in socket design, connector design, cable assembly design, or other relevant mechanic design and development, including but not limited to, material selection, tolerance analysis, DFMEA, product qualification, etc. 
•    Knowledge of high-current power connector design and thermal management. 
•    Knowledge of signal integrity fundamentals and high-speed interconnect systems.
•    Experience with connector contact design, spring mechanics, terminal retention, and mating interface development.
•    Strong understanding of Design Verification Testing (DVT), Product Qualification Testing (PQT), and reliability testing.
•    Proficient in 3D CAD applications (Creo preferred) with experience in 3D solid modeling including sheet metal, 2-D drawings, PDM link Data Manager and general knowledge in design applications such as Spaceclaim, Solidworks, or others used only in the concept stage.           
•    Proficient in geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T). 
•    PFMEA participation and error-proof (Poka-Yoke) assembly design.
•    Patent search, invention disclosure, and IP awareness.
•    Occasional user of finite element analysis software (Ansys, Workbench).
•    Proficient in developing and writing design objectives for product specifications.
•    Basic knowledge in manufacturing process (machining, molding, stamping, plating, assembly, etc.).
•    Fluent in English (both verbal and written) to facilitate global communication both internally and with external customers.
•    Ability to work in a global environment – able to accommodate varying time zones and capable of collaborating with individuals across geographies.
•    Proficient problem solver – able to handle moderate complexity situations and use data analytics and critical thinking to reach logical conclusions with general direction.
•    Proficient using MS office software (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, MS Teams, etc.). 

Nice To Have Skills/Experience:

•    Master’s degree in engineering or related field.
•    Familiarity of switch and or server equipment.
•    Basic knowledge in resins (Plastics) and sheet metals raw material, industry standards, and product application.
•    Basic knowledge of quality tools (FMEA, 6 sigma, DOE, 8D, etc.).
•    Solid presentation skills with an ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences in English.
•    Familiarity with server power distribution architectures and rack-level power connector applications.
•    Competitive benchmarking and technology scouting.
•    Basic Chinese language proficiency is an advantage due to frequent collaboration with manufacturing and engineering teams in China. 
•    UL / Agency Certification experience.
•    Ability to communicate effectively in multicultural global engineering environments.
•    Ability to prepare and present customer facing solutions to accurately communicate design concepts and engineering proofs.
•    Solid organizational and time management skills with an ability to manage and execute multiple tasks/deadlines/projects simultaneously under general direction.

Competencies