Senior Lead - VAVE

Job Overview

The VAVE Staff Product Development Engineer will lead advanced value analysis and value engineering initiatives within TE’s DDN business, delivering cost optimization and increased customer value. This role goes beyond traditional VAVE boundaries by driving R&D efforts in emerging and futuristic materials, advanced manufacturing processes, automation, digital technologies, and innovative supplier solutions. The incumbent will proactively identify and implement design and process improvements that reduce material usage, manufacturing costs, and product lifecycle expenses while maintaining or improving quality and functionality. Working closely with cross-functional teams, they will integrate cutting-edge technologies, explore alternative supply chain models, and deliver engineering innovations aligned with business growth, sustainability, and customer needs..

Job Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES 
•    Lead VAVE initiatives to optimize cost, improve product performance, and enhance customer value while maintaining quality and reliability.
•    Go beyond traditional VAVE by driving R&D in emerging materials, advanced manufacturing processes, automation, digital technologies, and innovative supplier solutions.
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and technology centers to identify, assess, and implement value-driven design and process improvements.
•    Develop and deploy tools and methods to analyze cost, performance, manufacturability, and sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.
•    Build and maintain a pipeline of VAVE projects in partnership with engineering, procurement, operations, and product management.
•    Serve as a subject matter expert in cost optimization and value engineering strategies, including advanced sourcing and alternative design concepts.
•    Partner with customers, sales, and product managers to gather Voice of Customer (VOC) insights and translate them into engineering solutions.
•    Provide technical support for cost-reduction activities, including design validation, troubleshooting, and verification of VAVE solutions. 
•    Collaborate globally with manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers to ensure compliance with TE’s technical, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
•    Introduce breakthrough engineering solutions that leverage new technologies and supplier capabilities to accelerate business growth.

Required Skills

EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE
•    Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from premier institution.
•    Deep understanding of product, design, materials (metals/plastics properties), processes and manufacturing science/technology.
•    Knowledge of manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, stamping, and plating is advantageous.
•    Familiarity with material standards and agency approvals for connectors, cables, and cable assemblies.
•    Experience in environmental life cycle assessment, circular economy, or product stewardship/compliance.
•    Knowledge of ISO/IEC/UL standards related to carbon footprint and emissions reduction in industrial products. 

CRITICAL EXPERIENCE
•    Minimum of 12 years of experience in Product Development, R&D and VAVE engineering.
•    Background in connector design (Power/Industrial/Auto connectors) is a plus.
•    Ability to work independently in a highly technical environment.
•    Expertise in Design for Cost (DFC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Design for Sustainability (DFS). 

COMPETENCIES
•    Application Engineering: Understanding customer requirements and offering sustainable cost-efficient design solutions.
•    Engineering Management: Developing technical roadmaps aligned with market trends and effectively communicating them to business units, management, and customers.
•    Collaboration: Working efficiently with global teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
•    Technical Expertise: Adapting to new skills, futuristic materials, advanced manufacturing processes, automation, digital technologies, and innovative supplier solutions.
•    Quality Control: Ensuring accuracy and quality in services, documentation, and engineering outputs.
•    Strong Presentation Skills: Proficiency in PowerPoint and effective communication of technical concepts.

Competencies