Product Engineer (Cable)

Description

Position at Samtec, Inc

Founded in 1976, Samtec is a privately held, $1 Billion global manufacturer of a broad line of electronic interconnect solutions, including High-Speed Board-to-Board, High-Speed Cables, Mid-Board and Panel Optics, Precision RF, Flexible Stacking, and Micro/Rugged components and cables. With 40+ international locations and products sold in more than 125 different countries, Samtec’s global presence enables its unmatched customer service.

Our cable development site in Wilsonville, Oregon is seeking an experienced engineer for this on-site role..

The Product Engineer (Cable) is a product development–focused role responsible for developing differentiated high-speed coax and twinax cable technologies and delivering them to market through a structured stage-gate development framework. This role owns execution of New Product Introductions (NPI) from concept through full qualification and release, with strong emphasis on time-to-market, technology differentiation, and robust design for manufacturability.  The Product Engineer works cross-functionally and cross-site, leading technical execution, stage-gate reviews, and stakeholder communication to ensure global alignment and successful commercialization. 

 

Essential Functions/ Responsibilities: 

Product Development & NPI

• Lead development of multiple high-speed coax and twinax cable products from concept through release using a structured stage-gate development process.
• Own technical execution of NPI activities, including design definition, validation, qualification, and release readiness.
• Define and execute engineering development and verification plans aligned to time-to-market objectives.
• Develop and release all required engineering documentation supporting new product launch (design definitions, drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation).

Technical Leadership 

• Drive technology differentiation through innovative materials, constructions, and signal integrity performance.
• Design and execute experiments (DOE) to accelerate learning, reduce risk, and mature new technologies.
• Direct engineering technicians conducting trials through feasibility, prototyping and qualification phases.
• Analyze test and development data and clearly communicate design tradeoffs and technical decisions applied to high-speed cable systems.

 

Cross‑Functional & Cross‑Site Collaboration 

• Lead and participate in formal stage-gate reviews, providing clear technical status, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders across multiple sites and disciplines to ensure alignment on scope, timing, and technical maturity.
• Partner closely with material/polymer science, signal integrity, automation, environmental, operations, and quality teams during development.

“The responsibilities as defined are intended to serve as a general guideline for this position. Associates may be asked to perform additional tasks depending on strengths and capabilities”

Required Experience

• 3+ years of experience in product development. 
• Experience in cable design and development is preferred.
• Ability to work in a formal stage-gate or NPI framework.
• Basic understanding of signal integrity for cable systems is preferred.
• Experience creating and executing engineering development and verification plans.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical product verification.
• Experience leading cross-functional development teams through complex technical projects.
• Capable of project management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to communicate across multiple sites and organizational levels.
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis tools (e.g., Minitab or similar).
• Ability to follow all safety protocols and lift up to 30lbs.
• Must be able to sit/stand for at least 90 consecutive minutes, and not suffer from any sensory deprivation and/or paralysis of the limbs.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, or equivalent is required. 

Training required:

• On the job training as appropriate.

Languages:English

SAMTEC, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to creating a diverse environment. All employment decisions at Samtec are based in business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, pregnancy or parental status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity/expression, marital status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws. Privacy Policy: https://www.samtec.com/about/legal/#privacyrightspage