Title Principal Engineer –Backplane Connectors

 Location KS 

Job Purpose:
• Product Design, Technical/Sustaining Engineering, Project Management, and end to end NPI / product life cycle management. Design and develop innovative new products and technologies to robust quality standards and in a manner consistent with business strategy and processes
• Demonstrate end-to-end product lifecycle ownership that supports achievement of vitality and growth targets that outperform our chosen market segments.
• Manage efficient use of assets and development investment to grow revenue and headline operating profitability.
Responsibilities:
• Support, contribute to, and promote a safe work environment
• Leverage industry, application, and technical expertise to mentor, guide, challenge, and grow team members
• Mentor and lead design and mechanical engineers to produce high-quality interconnects
• Support creation and execution of technology and product roadmaps
• Develop technology and process know-how needed to produce superior designs and processes.
• Collaborates with all departments to deploy company process and utilizes business productivity tools. Identifies and executes changes for VAVE improvement with inventory optimization in mind.
• Create detailed connector, and contact designs that can be reliably sourced and manufactured to agreed performance and cost targets
• Lead and support cross functional design reviews including requirements definition, manufacturability assessments, and application of GD&T
• Create and execute actions plans to ensure KPI’s and commitments are met including product line revenue and profitability.
• Translate customer specifications into design, manufacturing, quality, and testing requirements
• Perform root cause analyses utilizing established problem-solving tools and methodologies
• Proactively identify project risks and mitigation plans to accelerate the development cycle and ensure delivery commitments are met
• Facilitate build and evaluation of functional and non-functional prototypes leveraging internal and external resources
• Provide technical support to organizational stakeholders including Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing and Sales
• Support Sales and Marketing in preparing quotations and bid packages
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Smiths Way value system

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Highly competent in design of RF subsystems, backplane and PCB connectors.
• Experience in software analysis of electro/mechanical systems.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics Engineering or Related Field with 10-12 years of relevant experience
• Capable use of SolidWorks modeling, drawing and electro-mechanical simulation packages
• In depth knowledge in selection and application of engineering grade polymers, metals, composites, and alloys
• Design for manufacturability utilizing machining, molding, deep drawing, turning, stamping and/or additive manufacturing methods
• Familiarity with contact termination, spring probe design, molding, and over-molding techniques and principles
• Expert use of FMEA and tolerance analysis tools to inform robust design decisions
• Awareness of RF signal transmission characteristics
• Knowledge of Mil Spec and Aerospace Connectors, digital, fiber optic, and power interconnects, EMI, RF shielding and Coaxial standards
• Experience developing interconnect solutions for defense and aerospace applications with insights into overall system operation
• Experience leading Cross Functional teams in a collaborative environment
Planning and Decision Making:
• Coordinate with cross functional project team to ensure milestones are achieved and risks are mitigated
• Works on unusually complex technical problems and provides highly innovative solutions
• Sets priorities and drives completion of needed deliverables with minimal assistance
• Identifies and implements changes in working conditions and use of equipment, systems, tools and process to increase organizational effectivity
• Analyzes and resolves work problems independently and supports others in doing the same
• Utilizes experience, analytical capacity, problem solving tools, and judgment to plan and accomplish goals
Impact and Scope:
• Design authority for new and existing product configurations
• Provides technical leadership to project teams and team members
• Collaborates across multiple functions, sites, and regions
• Contributes to establishment of functional KPI’s and goal attainment
• Tackles complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors
• Works under consultative direction toward predetermined long-range goals and objectives
Internal & External Key Stakeholders & Relationships:
• Advise management and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications.
• Lead and contribute to product development cycle within cross functional team
• Mentor and guide team members in deepening their understanding of implicit / explicit market requirements and how to meet them
• Interface with customers & supply chain including on-site visits to customers and suppliers as needed
• Supervise and instruct internal and external stakeholders on products and capabilities
Identified Training:
• Self-guided training on global policies & procedures including GP03-001 (Global Design & Development), GP03-002 (NPI Project Management), and all policies, work instructions, and templates referenced therein
• Product and application training as provided by Product Specialists and utilizing product presentations on SharePoint
• Introduction to key stakeholders and their functional roles and responsibilities including Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Quality, and Manufacturing
• Mandatory trainings identified by Global Learning Resource (GLR) including export compliance, fair trade, anti-bribery/corruption laws, and business ethics
Other Requirements:
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts in verbal and written form using the English and Spanish language
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Some travel may be required for training and/or other business purposes including customer and/or supplier visits (travel < 25%)
• Understanding that evolving business needs may modify responsibilities over time