Sr. Manager Simulation R&D/Product Development Engineering

Sr. Manager Simulation R&D/Product Development Engineering

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 Electrical Signal Integrity and/or Multiphysics engineering analysis, modeling/simulation, and performance prediction to rapidly screen, compare, and down-select next-generation interconnect technology concepts 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. In this role, you will lead your team to establish first-principles models and high-fidelity simulations, generate decision-quality performance predictions, and use those predictions to guide tradeoffs and enable rapid concept down-selection. 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 Electrical Signal Integrity and/or Multiphysics engineering analysis, modeling/simulation, and prediction.

Key qualifications include a proven track record of superior technical leadership, 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 be expected to enable early, prediction-driven decision making by ensuring model credibility (verification & validation), clearly communicating assumptions and tradeoffs, and aligning stakeholders on the most promising concepts to pursue. 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, modeling assumptions, and measurable performance targets/specifications for a given technology through effective collaboration with TE Sales, System Architecture, and Product Management groups.
• Guide the team in the development, application, and continuous improvement of first-principles engineering analysis, modeling/simulation, and performance prediction to rapidly down-select solution concepts, including team member tasks such as:
• Building first-principles and reduced-order models to rapidly screen concepts and identify dominant physics, sensitivities, and scaling relationships
• Developing and executing high-fidelity simulations (e.g., electrical signal integrity/structural/thermal/vibration/fatigue and other multiphysics analyses) using state-of-the-art FEA and modeling tools to predict performance and risk
• Performing sensitivity studies, uncertainty quantification, and statistical tolerance/variation analyses to understand robustness and manufacturing/assembly risk early
• Completing exhaustive failure-mode and risk analyses (DFMEA/physics-of-failure) to guide design tradeoffs and prioritize mitigation actions
• Defining analysis-ready geometry, boundary conditions, and loading scenarios; partnering with designers as needed to ensure models/drawings and GD&T support accurate prediction
• Collaborating with fellow AD team members on Design for Manufacturability (DfM) assessments by using model-informed studies to find creative solutions around manufacturability constraints
• Completing cost and value trade studies to balance predicted performance, risk, and financial viability of proposed solutions
• Delivering engineering evaluations, performance predictions, and clear recommendations that enable rapid concept down-selection and decision making
• Filing appropriate intellectual property submissions
• Initiating prototype sample creation and test/measurement activities to verify predictions, correlate models, and improve simulation fidelity (verification & validation)
• Collaborating with front-line product engineering (PDE)/NPI teams to transfer predictive methods, validated models, 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 first-principles engineering analysis, modeling/simulation, and performance prediction
• 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

What your background should look like

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar 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
• Deep knowledge of electrical signal integrity and/or engineering mechanics and physics-based modeling for interconnect and electromechanical systems, including (as applicable) material modeling, tolerance/variation analysis, DFMEA, product qualification correlation, and robust design practices
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD applications (Creo preferred) sufficient to support analysis-ready geometry definition and effective collaboration with design teams; familiarity with concept-stage tools such as Spaceclaim, Solidworks, or similar is a plus
• Proficient in geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) and its impact on functional performance, stack-ups, and model assumptions
• Proficient at limit and fit analysis including statistical tolerance analysis; able to connect variation drivers to predicted performance and risk
• Expert user of finite element analysis software (Ansys or equivalent) with demonstrated capability in model setup, meshing strategy, nonlinear material behavior, contact, and correlation to test data (verification & validation)
• Demonstrated expertise applying first-principles analysis and (as applicable) multiphysics/signal integrity modeling approaches to predict product performance in high-speed, high-density interconnect applications
• Proficient in developing and writing performance requirements, modeling requirements, and prediction-based acceptance criteria for product specifications
• Working knowledge of key manufacturing processes (machining, molding, stamping, plating, assembly, etc.) with experience using analysis and trade studies to drive Design for Manufacturing (DfM), robustness, and best practices
• Experienced in leading teams responsible for the early-to-mid development cycle, from establishing requirements and modeling plans through performance prediction, prototype correlation, and transfer of validated methods/models to product engineering for commercialization
• Solid understanding of competitive products and intellectual property positions, particularly as they relate to analysis methods, modeling approaches, and predicted performance differentiators
• Proficient use of quality tools (FMEA, 6 sigma, DOE, 8D, etc.)
• 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
• Competencies SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)

Compensation

• Competitive base salary