Job Overview

The Digital Data Network (DDN) Business Unit is seeking an R&D Product Development Engineer (PDE) to lead the design and development of innovative power connectivity solutions, including connectors, busbars, and cable assemblies. The role drives product development from concept through commercialization, with a strong focus on technical excellence, innovation, patent generation, and competitive benchmarking. The PDE will apply expertise in power interconnect systems, thermal management, materials, and manufacturing to develop robust, scalable, and market-ready solutions. The role also requires close collaboration with customers, suppliers, marketing, sales, manufacturing, and cross-functional engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle.

Roles & Responsibilities:

•    Responsible for product development of Power Connectors solutions 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    Develop 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 design verification & validation testing. 
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).
•    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 / Stage gate 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.
•    Execute technical documentation to fully detail design drawings and requirements, engineering and product change notices, and design history files.
•    Lead end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization, including design, prototyping, testing, and validation
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Marketing to ensure successful product launches
•    Good in engineering analysis, simulations, and testing to validate product performance and reliability
•    Conduct failure analysis and implement corrective actions for product issues
•    Present technical findings and recommendations to senior management and customers

Mandate Skills:

•    Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent work experience.
•    5-7 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 product development in the power/electrical industry 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. 
•    Experience with connector contact design, spring mechanics, terminal retention, and mating interface development.
•    Good understanding of Design Verification Testing (DVT), Product Qualification Testing (PQT), and reliability testing.
•    Experience with power distribution, connectors, or related power management systems
•    Proficient in 3D CAD applications (Creo preferred) with experience in 3D/2D including sheet metal, PDM link Data Management 
•    Knowledge in material selection for resins and sheet metals as per industry standards for right product application.
•    Proficient in Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T). 
•    Good in DFMEA & Technical risks identification & Mitigation.
•    Patent search, invention disclosure, and IP awareness.
•    Basic knowledge on finite element analysis software (Ansys, Workbench), Good at interpreting results. 
•    Basic knowledge in manufacturing process (Injection molding, stamping, plating, assembly, etc.).
•    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.
•    Familiarity with industry standards and certifications (OCP, IEC, UL, VDE, etc.)
•    Good knowledge of electrical principles, power systems, and thermal management

Nice To Have Skills/Experience:

•    Familiarity with switch and or server equipment.
•    Basic knowledge of quality tools (DFMEA, 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.