Senior Design Engineer

Onanon, Inc. is a world class connector / cable assembly manufacturer that prides itself on supporting our customers with the ability to design & produce electro-mechanical interconnect systems for a variety of industries (Medical, Automotive, Industrial, Aviation, Defense, Commercial).

Our team is looking for an experienced Senior Design Engineer who has a personality that matches Onanon’s affable culture (friendly, supportive, easy to talk to), is passionate about product development and innovation, and can solve complex engineering challenges. The ideal candidate will be a creative, detail-oriented, self-driven engineer who takes strong ownership of their work, makes sound technical decisions, and can lead products from early-stage concept through design validation and production launch.

Job Summary:

The Senior Design Engineer will work with the Design Engineering team on new and existing business spanning multiple markets and business opportunities. This position is responsible for the technical ownership and execution of multiple electro-mechanical connector and interconnect development programs from ideation and concept through production launch. Responsibilities include researching new technologies, developing and improving products, performing detailed engineering design and analysis, creating production documentation, developing prototypes and test plans, supporting product qualification, and working closely with customers, suppliers, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and other cross-functional teams. The Senior Design Engineer will also mentor Design Engineers and serve as a technical resource to the organization. The position reports to the Director of Engineering.

Responsibilities include researching new technologies, developing and improving products, performing detailed engineering design and analysis, creating production documentation, developing prototypes and test plans, supporting product qualification, and working closely with customers, suppliers, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and other cross-functional teams. The Senior Design Engineer will also mentor Design Engineers and serve as a technical resource to the organization. The position reports to the Director of Engineering.

• Follow all safety policies, procedures and practices, minimizing risk and striving for “Zero” incidents.
• Follow all company policies, procedures, engineering methods and processes established by Engineering Management.
• Manage the technical aspects of product design projects from ideation / concept through design, prototyping, validation, qualification and production launch using lean product development techniques.
• Own the entire product design lifecycle and maintain responsibility for the technical quality and accuracy of assigned designs.
• Develop innovative electro-mechanical connector, cable assembly and interconnect solutions for customer and market requirements, including improvements to existing products.
• Work effectively both independently and with cross-functional teams; prioritize and balance multiple projects within a fast-paced design / production environment.
• Mentor Design Engineers and junior engineering team members on product development, design practices, troubleshooting and engineering decision‑making.
• Demonstrate design expertise with plastics (injection molding) and metals (stamping and machining), including appropriate material, plating and finish selection.
• Apply knowledge of connector manufacturing processes including progressive die stamping, injection molding, machining, crimping, soldering, ultrasonic welding, automated / manual assembly and related processes.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation utilizing SolidWorks and applicable PDM / ePDM systems, including 3D models, production drawings, BOMs, ECO / ECN documentation and related records.
• Apply advanced GD&T, tolerance analysis, tolerance stack‑ups and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles to production designs.
• Develop prototypes, fixtures, tooling, test samples and proof‑of‑concept assemblies using methods including 3D printing, machining and contact / connector prototyping.
• Develop Design Verification and Validation (DV&V) test plans to demonstrate compliance with product, customer and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work with the test lab and/or perform testing to gain engineering knowledge and qualify designs, including tensile, cross‑section, temperature‑rise, electrical and environmental testing as applicable.
• Utilize engineering analysis tools including finite element analysis (FEA), mold‑flow simulation, thermal / heat‑transfer analysis and electrical simulation where appropriate.
• Identify potential technical and design risks and implement appropriate risk‑reduction activities, including support of design reviews, DFMEA, root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Work directly with customers to understand requirements, communicate design concepts, review technical documents, resolve issues and present engineering recommendations.
• Collaborate with outside engineering services, tooling suppliers, component suppliers and manufacturing partners as required.
• Work closely with Manufacturing and Quality Engineering to ensure designs are manufacturable, inspectable, scalable and capable of meeting production requirements.
• Utilize creativity to develop product concepts and determine the most effective way to gain the technical knowledge required to develop products efficiently.
• Utilize a continuous improvement mindset and Lean tools including Root Cause Analysis, A3 problem solving and Knowledge Reports.
• Maintain familiarity with applicable connector industry standards, customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Continuously build technical knowledge and skills through education, training and hands‑on product development.
• Maintain an organized engineering workspace consistent with 5S / housekeeping principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Required Skills / Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in connector / interconnect product design or closely related electro‑mechanical product development.
• Demonstrated experience independently developing products from concept through production launch.
• Strong knowledge of electro‑mechanical connector design, engineering and manufacturing.
• Excellent SolidWorks skills with commitment to robust modeling, assembly and drawing best practices.
• Expertise in creating production drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis and tolerance stack‑ups.
• Strong knowledge of injection‑molded plastic component design and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
• Experience designing machined and/or stamped metal components and selecting engineering materials for connector / cable applications.
• Hands‑on connector testing experience
• Prototyping experience including 3D printing, contact prototyping and connector prototyping.
• Familiarity with common engineering lab and metrology equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems and perform structured root‑cause analysis.
• Strong decision‑making ability with the capability to clearly explain technical reasoning and recommendations.
• Possess the desire and ability to work cross‑functionally to develop and launch new innovative designs.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to clearly communicate design rationale and results.
• Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, manufacturing teams and other engineering disciplines.
• Proficiency working with project management platforms, ERP systems and engineering document‑control
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including intermediate or greater Excel skills.
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks within a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated fluency in technical concepts and strong professional ownership of assigned work.
• Must be fluent in English.
• Must be eligible to legally work in the United States of America; sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred:

• Experience with electro‑mechanical connectors, magnetic connectors, pogo‑pin / contact systems, cable assemblies, PCB interconnects or similar products.
• Experience with progressive die stamped contacts and connector contact design.
• Knowledge of printed circuit board design and assembly processes.
• Experience with automated or high‑volume connector assembly processes.
• Ability to effectively use engineering analysis tools including FEA, mold‑flow simulation, heat‑transfer analysis and electrical simulation.
• Familiarity with connector standards and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with robotics, programming microcontrollers, 3D printing and/or engineering automation.
• Knowledge of HAAS CNC programming and use.
• Experience working within regulated industries such as Medical, Automotive, Aerospace or Defense.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant connector / interconnect or electro‑mechanical product design experience.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role operates in both office and manufacturing environments. The employee must be able to move safely through production areas, observe manufacturing processes, use a computer and standard engineering tools, and communicate effectively with employees, suppliers, and customers. The position may require occasional lifting or handling of parts, tools, or equipment and the use of required personal protective equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Onanon is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with the applicable California laws. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

Job Description Acknowledgment

This job description summarizes the primary duties and qualifications of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Responsibilities may change based on business needs.