Principal Product Development Engineer

Job Overview

CommScope Data Center Business Unit is seeking a Senior Product Development Engineer to lead the ideation and design of next-generation optical interconnect technology solutions for tomorrow’s most demanding high-speed, high-density platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual design and development of innovative optical connectivity solutions focused in both the near-term and future generations.
• Drive design verification, refinement and development including structural modeling, tolerance analysis, and prototype testing.
• Establish development project goals and detailed specifications by working closely with Business Development, Product Line Management, Advanced Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, and other stakeholders.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical tools and software; generate charts, graphs, technical reports and presentations for internal documentation.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies to support future product advancements.
• Generate IP patent portfolios for new technologies.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Typically requires 12 years of related experience. Candidates with a master’s or PhD may be considered with fewer years of experience, depending on the relevance of their academic background to the role.
• Must have work experience with fiber optic connectivity or closely adjacent industry.
• Strong background in connector design, cable assembly design, or other relevant mechanical design and development including but not limited to material selection, tolerance analysis, DFMEA, verification testing, product qualification, etc.
• Development expertise with innovative latching and retention methods, strain relief of optical fibers, precision assembly and fiber alignment systems.
• Expertise in 3D CAD applications (Creo preferred) used in the concept design phase.
• Solid understanding of geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance analysis.
• Proficient user of finite element analysis software (Ansys, Workbench) for structural design.
• Ability to write design requirements for product or technology specifications.
• In depth knowledge in manufacturing processes (machining, molding, stamping, plating, assembly, etc.) with experience driving Design for Manufacturing (DfM), Design for Automation (DfA) and best practices.
• Experienced in providing technical leadership for the full product development cycle, from establishing customer requirements to releasing qualified design to production.
• Solid understanding of competitive products and intellectual property positions.
• Fluent in English (both verbal and written) to facilitate global communication both internally and with external customers.
• Able to work in a global environment – able to accommodate varying time zones and capable of collaborating with individuals across geographies.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with an ability to manage and execute multiple tasks/deadlines/projects simultaneously with limited direction.
• Outstanding problem solver – able to handle high complexity situations and use data analytics and critical thinking to reach logical conclusions with limited direction.
• Collaboration with a cross-functional team and external partners.
• Proficient using MS office software (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, MS Teams, etc).

Strongly Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Understanding of blind-mate and backplane connection systems.
• Knowledge of co-packaged optics including opto-mechanical assembly, active alignment, passive alignment, pick and place, bonding processes, and dispensing technologies.
• Optical modeling experience based on Marcuse theory, geometric or beam propagation methods.
• Familiarity with high-precision metrology and sub-micron inspection methods.
• Proficiency in quality tools such as FMEA, 6-sigma, DoE, 8D, statistical methods.
• Expertise in various rapid prototyping methodologies.
• Strong presentation skills to effectively engage with customers in ideation for new generation development.
• Experience contributing to and influencing Standards Committees such as IEC, TIA or IEEE and knowledge of test methods for optical connectivity.
• Comfortable leading technical discussions and performing technical training across project teams.
• Ability to mentor and coach fellow engineers, designers and technicians.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Life and accidental death insurance.
• A 401(k) plan.
• Participation in the Company’s Incentive Plan.
• Eleven paid holidays in a full calendar year.
• Two weeks of paid vacation (prorated based on start date).
• Other leave options.