Why should you join:

As a Principal Engineer in TE’s Corporate Technology & R&D organization, you will be a key technical leader driving innovation across multiple business units. You will work closely with BU engineering and manufacturing teams to solve complex product design and process challenges, while shaping long-term technology roadmaps in metallization, joining, and material systems. This role requires both hands-on problem-solving for current product and process issues and strategic foresight to define next-generation solutions enabling TE’s future growth.

Your main tasks:

• Partner with TE Business Units to identify and resolve critical pain points in product design, manufacturing, and material application—bridging technology capability with business needs
• Lead the development and validation of innovative metallization, joining, and material solutions (e.g., soldering, brazing, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, plating)
• Translate customer Voice of Customer (VOC) and manufacturing requirements into conceptual designs, prototypes, and validated solutions that improve performance, quality, or cost
• Conduct feasibility studies and proof-of-concept trials for new materials, coatings, or joining processes; assess scalability and manufacturability
• Serve as a technical advisor to cross-functional teams, ensuring robust design for manufacturability (DFM), reliability, and cost efficiency
• Perform analytical modeling and simulation (thermal, structural, metallurgical) to predict product behavior and optimize process parameters
• Work collaboratively with global operations, quality, and supplier engineering teams to industrialize and scale new technologies
• Develop technical documentation, test plans, and material/joining specifications; manage design history and qualification data
• Contribute to the creation of TE’s long-term technology roadmap in materials and joining science, identifying opportunities for differentiation and cost competitiveness
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineers within corporate and business unit teams
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence within the global R&D community

Your ideal profile:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in product or process development with strong background in metallic materials, metallization, and joining technologies (e.g., soldering, brazing, welding, bonding, plating)
• Deep understanding of material properties, surface treatment, interfacial behavior, and failure analysis in metal and alloy systems
• Proven track record in developing or scaling joining and metallization technologies for electrical, electronic, or mechanical systems
• Experience with finite element simulation (thermal/mechanical) and process modeling tools such as Ansys, Workbench, or equivalent
• Know-how of materials characterization techniques such as SEM, FIB, EDS, mechanical testing, etc
• Working knowledge of design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and analytical tools such as DFMEA, tolerance analysis, and root cause analysis
• Understanding connector, contact, or cable assembly manufacturing processes (stamping, molding, plating, joining)
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects, collaborating across global teams and functions
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to influence and engage with both engineering and business leadership
• Fluent in English, capable of global collaboration across time zones and cultures
• High level of curiosity, hands-on problem-solving capability, and the ability to balance tactical solutions with strategic technology direction

Competencies