Principal Mechanical Engineer

About the Role

This is a senior technical position offering the opportunity to influence the development of next-generation fiber optic connectivity technology supporting AI, cloud and hyperscale data centre infrastructure. You'll combine hands-on mechanical engineering with technical leadership, R&D and new product development, taking complex products from initial concept through to full-scale manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead new product development from concept through design, validation and production launch.
• Design and develop innovative fiber optic connectivity products and hardware.
• Perform engineering analysis and simulation, including FEA and Monte Carlo analysis.
• Develop and evaluate concepts using rapid prototyping techniques.
• Lead prototype testing, product validation and technical problem-solving.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Automation and NPI teams using Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.
• Support the development of new manufacturing processes for advanced fiber optic products.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Project Management, Procurement, Quality and Manufacturing teams.
• Work with patent attorneys on new product innovations and intellectual property.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the complete product development lifecycle.
• Occasionally travel internationally to manufacturing facilities to support new product introductions.

Essential Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years' mechanical engineering experience, ideally within R&D or new product development.
• Strong product design and development experience.
• Proven ability to independently lead technically complex engineering projects.
• Strong 3D CAD skills using Creo, SolidWorks or similar.
• Excellent knowledge of GD&T.
• Experience designing products involving manufacturing processes such as injection molding, insert molding, machining, extrusion and sheet metal forming.
• Experience developing test plans, conducting product testing and interpreting technical results.

Highly Desirable Skills

• Fiber optic connector design and development experience.
• Fiber optic cable assembly or optical connectivity hardware experience.
• Understanding of fiber optic systems and network architectures.
• Co-packaged optics (CPO) experience.
• Opto-mechanical assembly.
• Active and passive optical alignment.
• Pick-and-place, bonding and dispensing technologies.

Pay & Schedule

• $145,000 - $153,000 per year + Benefits
• Fully on-site role based in Shakopee, Minnesota, 5 days per week