PRINCIPAL R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER- ME COE

Job Overview

As a Principal Mechanical Product Development Engineer in the Mechanical Center of Excellence team, you will lead advanced mechanical research, design, and validation efforts for cutting-edge interconnect systems used in AI data centers, high-performance computing, and next-generation communication infrastructure

Your role involves developing novel mechanical structures, executing thermomechanical simulations, validating materials, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance product performance, reliability, and manufacturability. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy and technical depth to define and drive innovation across mechanical platforms—from early-stage PoCs through NPI handoff

This role is highly cross-functional, requiring collaboration with electrical, signal integrity, system architecture, manufacturing, and supplier development teams.

BU Overview

Consumer, network, and data center applications change at an exponential pace and the Data & Devices (D&D) business unit at TE Connectivity is at the heart of a continuously expanding connected life. Accordingly, we provide responsive, iterative, and fundamentally agile capabilities and conceive, design, and manufacture to support today's demands. Our customers are building the devices and the infrastructure that is redefining what information technology means. Our products push markets and meet the ever-changing needs of the evolving, more connected, data-driven world. We are enhancing how we do business, focusing on the most important things and staying agile and responsive to the needs of a faster, more connected world.
The Mechanical Center of Excellence (ME COE) plays a critical role in shaping the future of thermomechanical design, reliability engineering, and platform-based product development. By integrating advanced mechanical research, simulation, and manufacturability expertise, ME COE empowers faster, more scalable, and more robust innovation across TE’s high-speed connectivity and AI infrastructure portfolios.

What your background should look like:

• Lead development of advanced mechanical architectures for complex electro-mechanical systems, including connector enclosures, latch mechanisms, thermal solutions, and structural interfaces.
• Translate complex real-world mechanical challenges into simulation-driven solutions using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), applying both implicit and explicit methods.
• Own execution of multi-physics simulations—linear and non-linear—across structural, thermal, vibrational, and dynamic load cases using advanced simulation tools (e.g., Ansys Workbench, LS-DYNA, HyperMesh, Simufact, Digimat).
• Guide material selection and qualification, focusing on emerging polymers, composites, TIMs, and metal alloys to meet performance, cost, and reliability goals.
• Define and enforce best practices in design-for-manufacturing (DFM), tolerance stack-up analysis, and robust mechanical design for high-volume production.
• Partner with manufacturing, tooling, and supply chain teams to drive scalable solutions from concept to NPI and mass production.
• Lead technical reviews, design audits, and FMEA processes for high-risk mechanical designs
• Mentor and coach junior engineers, establishing a culture of technical rigor, innovation, and continuous improvement across mechanical teams.
• Develop and validate reliability test strategies for shock, vibration, thermal cycling, and mechanical fatigue aligned with product application requirements.
• Drive standardization of mechanical design platforms and reusable modules across TE product lines.
• Influence internal and external stakeholders through clear technical communication, cross-functional leadership, and participation in industry forums.
• Support long-term technology planning by contributing to mechanical innovation roadmaps in alignment with CTO and BU strategies

Required Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Physics with 12+ years of experience, or Master's with 10+ years of experience, or PhD with 6+ years of experience, or equivalent amount of experience in mechanical product development in connector, electronics, or high-reliability hardware industries.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical design and modeling using tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, or NX.
• Expertise in simulation tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or FloTHERM for thermal/structural analysis.
• Proven experience in DFM, DFA, and transition of mechanical designs to high-volume manufacturing.
• Deep understanding of materials science, including polymers, metals, and thermal materials.
• Experience conducting reliability testing: thermal cycling, vibration, drop/shock, and HALT/HASS.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with global engineering, operations, and customer teams

Nice to have Skills/Experience:

• Ph.D. in Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with micro-mechanics, co-packaged optics, or liquid cooling solutions.
• Familiarity with data analytics, Six Sigma methodologies, or AI-driven simulation optimization.
• Experience working on system-level hardware such as AI servers, switches, or RF modules.
• Patent filings or published research in mechanical design, thermal management, or materials.
• Experience managing cross-functional or global engineering projects.

Competencies