PRINCIPAL R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER

About the role

The Digital Data Networks (DDN) Business Unit is seeking a Principal Engineer R&D Product Technology to provide technical leadership in Electrical Signal Integrity and / or Multiphysics engineering analysis, modeling / simulation, and performance prediction to rapidly screen, compare, and down-select next-generation interconnect technology concepts for tomorrow’s most demanding high-speed, high-density platforms - including switches, servers, data storage systems, and AI hardware.

Responsibilities

• Establish robust project goals, modelling assumptions, and measurable performance targets / specifications for a given technology through effective collaboration with System Architecture, Product Management, and Advanced Development team members.
• Develop, apply, and continuously improve first-principles engineering analysis, modelling / simulation, and performance prediction methods to rapidly down-select solution concepts, including:
  • Building first-principles and reduced-order models to rapidly screen concepts and identify dominant physics, sensitivities, and scaling relationships.
  • Developing and executing high-fidelity simulations (e.g., electrical signal integrity / structural / thermal / vibration / fatigue and other multiphysics analyses) using state-of-the-art FEA and modelling tools to predict performance and risk.
  • Performing sensitivity studies, uncertainty quantification, and statistical tolerance / variation analyses to understand robustness and manufacturing / assembly risk early.
  • Completing exhaustive failure-mode and risk analyses (DFMEA / physics-of-failure) to guide design tradeoffs and prioritize mitigation actions.
  • Defining analysis-ready geometry, boundary conditions, and loading scenarios; partnering with designers as needed to ensure models / drawings and GD&T support accurate prediction.
  • Collaborating with fellow AD team members on Design for Manufacturability (DfM) assessments by using model-informed studies to find creative solutions around manufacturability constraints.
  • Completing cost and value trade studies to balance predicted performance, risk, and financial viability of proposed solutions.
  • Delivering engineering evaluations, performance predictions, and clear recommendations that enable rapid concept down-selection and decision making.
  • Filing appropriate intellectual property submissions.
  • Initiating prototype sample creation and test / measurement activities to verify predictions, correlate models, and improve simulation fidelity (verification & validation).
  • Collaborating with front-line product engineering (PDE) / NPI teams to transfer predictive methods, validated models, and advanced technical knowledge to ensure successful commercialization of new technologies.
  • Follow the Advanced Development (AD) Project Management Process and associated project tracking and reporting practices to ensure timely, high quality, and cost-effective project outcomes.
  • Maintain a system architecture level understanding of customer applications, industry trends, and the product technologies necessary for meeting anticipated future customer needs.
  • Contribute to the multi-year strategy and roadmap that guides the development and maturation of the team’s technical capability, operating practices, and tools.
  • Provide technical leadership across regional / global project teams by mentoring engineers, reviewing analysis approaches, strengthening model credibility, and raising the overall quality of prediction-driven engineering work.
  • Influence stakeholders and project teams through clear communication of assumptions, tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations that connect predictive engineering results to business and technology decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar or equivalent work experience; Master's Degree preferred.
• Generally requires 12 years of relevant work experience in new product design, advanced engineering analysis, electrical components, electrical devices, or complex electromechanical structural design. (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.)
• Demonstrated technical leadership experience, including leading complex technical workstreams, mentoring engineers, influencing project direction, and communicating recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of electrical signal integrity and / or engineering mechanics and physics-based modeling for interconnect and electromechanical systems, including (as applicable) material modelling, tolerance / variation analysis, DFMEA, product qualification correlation, and robust design practices.
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD applications (Creo preferred) sufficient to support analysis-ready geometry definition and effective collaboration with design teams; familiarity with concept-stage tools such as Spaceclaim, Solidworks, or similar is a plus.
• Proficient in geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) and its impact on functional performance, stack-ups, and model assumptions.
• Expert user of finite element analysis software (Ansys or equivalent) with demonstrated capability in model setup, meshing strategy, nonlinear material behavior, contact, and correlation to test data (verification & validation).
• Demonstrated expertise applying first-principles analysis and (as applicable) multiphysics / signal integrity modeling approaches to predict product performance in high-speed, high-density interconnect applications.
• Proficient in developing and writing performance requirements, modeling requirements, and prediction-based acceptance criteria for product specifications.
• Working knowledge of key manufacturing processes (machining, molding, stamping, plating, assembly, etc.) with experience using analysis and trade studies to drive Design for Manufacturing (DfM), robustness, and best practices.
• Solid understanding of competitive products and intellectual property positions, particularly as they relate to analysis methods, modeling approaches, and predicted performance differentiators.
• Proficient use of quality tools (FMEA, 6 Sigma, DOE, 8D, etc.).
• 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.
• Expert problem solver – able to handle high complexity situations and use data analytics and critical thinking to reach logical conclusions with limited direction.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with an ability to manage and execute multiple tasks/deadlines/projects simultaneously with limited direction.
• Prominent ability to translate business and technology strategy into meaningful technical action plans.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills, with a proven track record of forging solid relationships across organizations and with senior management.
• Advanced communication and presentation skills – a convincing communicator able to drive engagement and excitement both up and down the organization.
• Proficient using MS office software (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, MS Teams, etc.).

Benefits

Compensation Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $156,300 - $234,400 (subject to change dependent on physical location)
Total Compensation = Base Salary + Incentive(s) + Benefits
Benefits A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and voluntary benefits.
EOE, Including Disability/Vets