Job Overview

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.

As a key member of the DDN Advanced Development (AD) organization, you will report to the Sr. Manager, Advanced Engineering Analysis and Prediction and serve as a senior technical contributor responsible for advancing the group’s predictive engineering capability. You will establish first-principles models and high-fidelity simulations, generate decision-quality performance predictions, and use those predictions to guide tradeoffs and enable rapid concept down-selection. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams and engage with key stakeholders across Product Management, System Architecture, and other internal groups. You will also support the identification, evaluation, and cultivation of external partnerships with academic institutions, startups, and technology vendors. Additionally, you will help define and mature the analysis methods, modeling practices, verification / validation approaches, and technical standards that position the team for industry-wide superiority in Electrical Signal Integrity and / or Multiphysics engineering analysis, modeling / simulation, and prediction.

Key qualifications include a proven track record of superior technical contributions, deep expertise in high-speed interconnects and emerging signal propagation technologies, strong communication and collaboration skills, and a passion for innovation that drives breakthrough solutions. You will be expected to enable early, prediction-driven decision making by ensuring model credibility (verification & validation), clearly communicating assumptions and tradeoffs, and aligning stakeholders on the most promising concepts to pursue. You will also be expected to mentor engineers, influence technical direction across projects, and help build a culture of high performance, innovation, and disciplined technical excellence.

Job Requirements

• 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.
• Build a deep understanding of the market and customer needs by fostering connections with Product Management, System Architecture, and other internal groups.
• 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.

Continued 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.
• Proficient at limit and fit analysis including statistical tolerance analysis; able to connect variation drivers to predicted performance and risk.
• 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.

What your background should look like Continued

• 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.
• Experienced in providing technical leadership during the early-to-mid development cycle, from establishing requirements and modeling plans through performance prediction, prototype correlation, and transfer of validated methods / models to product engineering for commercialization.
• 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.
• Ability 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.
• Proven 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.).

Competencies