Job Overview

The Digital Data Networks (DDN) Business Unit is seeking a Sr. Manager R&D Product Technology to lead a highly talented engineering team through the ideation and design of next-generation interconnect technology solutions 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) leadership team, you will be responsible for cutting-edge innovation in interconnect technologies that are expected to push the boundaries of density and performance. These future solutions will likely incorporate not only traditional electrical signaling but also electromagnetic wave and photonic propagation.  You will collaborate closely with the leadership of cross-functional engineering teams and engage with key stakeholder leaders across Sales, Product Management, System Architecture, and other internal groups. You will lead the identification, evaluation, and cultivation of external partnerships with academic institutions, startups, and technology vendors.  Additionally, you will be responsible for establishing and delivering upon a multi-year strategy and associated roadmap that guides the development and maturation of your team to a position of industry-wide superiority in mechanical engineering and design. 

Key qualifications include a proven track record of superior technical leadership in product development, 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 also be responsible for leading your team to successfully achieve business objectives in a dynamic business environment while fostering a culture of high performance, innovation, and employee wellbeing.

Job Requirements

• Ensure team members establish robust project goals and detailed target attributes / specifications for a given technology through effective collaboration with TE Sales, System Architecture, and Product Management groups.
• Guide the team in the development of solution concepts and performance of technical feasibility studies, including team member tasks such as:
  • Leveraging mechanical simulations using state-of-the-art FEA tools to rapidly sort through solution options
  • Collaborating with other AD team members on SI / Electrical and other Multiphysics simulation and advanced engineering analysis methods to ensure robust solutions
  • Completing detailed tolerance analysis for dense, fine-pitch products
  • Completing exhaustive failure-mode analysis (DFMEA) for all possible scenarios
  • Providing complete 3D models and work with designers to complete GD&T on models and / or drawings
  • Collaborating with fellow AD team members on Design for Manufacturability (DfM) assessments & find creative design solutions around manufacturability challenges
  • Completing cost model studies to determine the value and financial viability of proposed solutions.
  • Delivering engineering evaluations & proposals
  • Filing appropriate intellectual property submissions
  • Initiating prototype sample creation and performance verification activities
  • Collaborating with front-line product engineering (PDE) / NPI teams to transfer design concepts and advanced technical knowledge to ensure successful commercialization of new technologies.
• Ensure that your team members are following the Advanced Development (AD) Project Management Process and associated project tracking and reporting practices to ensure timely, high quality, and cost-effective project outcomes.
• Aid your team in building a deep understanding of the market and customer needs by fostering connections with Sales, Product Management, System Architecture, and other internal groups.
• Drive your team to maintain a system architecture level understanding of customer applications, industry trends, and the product technologies necessary for meeting anticipated future customer needs.
• Establish and deliver upon a multi-year strategy and associated roadmap that guides the development and maturation of your team (staff, operating practices, and tools) to a position of industry-wide superiority in advanced mechanical engineering and design.
• Effectively build and lead a regional / global team of engineers of varying levels of experience with different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.
• Drive high performance by providing your team routine coaching and feedback, holding your team accountable to meet performance objectives, and providing meaningful professional development opportunities to increase individual / team capability.
• Manage employee wellbeing by prioritizing work, effectively managing resource loading, and providing flexibility to enable employees to successfully balance their work and personal lives.
• Drive organization effectiveness by structuring your organization in a way that best enables the CTO Office and Advanced Development group strategy, maximizes resource efficiency and productivity, and provides role and responsibility clarity and clear lines of accountability.
• Manage the talent in your organization to support the business now and to proactively prepare for the future by identifying organization skillset / role gaps, implementing plans to fill any skillset / role gaps, and assessing current talent fit to ensure the right talent is matched to the right roles to best meet the needs of the business.

What your background should look like

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent work experience; Master's Degree preferred
• Generally requires 12 years of relevant work experience in new product design with 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.)
• Generally requires a minimum of 7 years of progressive technical leadership and people management experience in a global or large scale regional commercial enterprise.
• Knowledge in socket design, connector design, cable assembly design, or other relevant mechanical design and development, including but not limited to material selection, tolerance analysis, DFMEA, product qualification, etc.
• Proficient in 3D CAD applications (Creo preferred) with experience in 3D solid modeling including sheet metal, 2-D drawings, PDM link Data Manager and general knowledge in design applications such as Spaceclaim, Solidworks, or others used only in the concept stage.                        
• Proficient in geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T).
• Proficient at limit and fit analysis including statistical tolerance analysis.
• Proficient user of finite element analysis software (Ansys, Workbench) including elastic and plastic behavior of metals.
• Proficient in developing and writing design objectives for product specifications.
• In depth knowledge in manufacturing process (machining, molding, stamping, plating, assembly, etc.) with experience driving Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and best practices.  
• Experienced in leading teams with responsibility for the full product development cycle, from establishing customer requirements to releasing qualified design to production.
• Solid understanding of competitive products and intellectual property positions.
• Familiarity with switch and / or server equipment.
• 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 strategy into meaningful 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