Engineering Specialist

Samtec, Inc; Wilsonville (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Samtec, Inc. in Wilsonville, Oregon, seeks an Engineering Specialist for a hands-on, on-site role within the New Ventures cable development team.

The engineer will drive development of high-speed cables, perform trials, and optimize extrusion, shielding, braiding, and jacketing processes. The position requires extensive experience in cable manufacturing, strong ability to interpret technical drawings and reports, and the capacity to mentor technicians while collaborating with design,

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in cable development and manufacturing.
• Expertise across engineering disciplines: process, controls, mechanical and product.
• Ability to interpret and create drawings, schematics, SOPs, and technical reports.
• Ability to work independently and as an internal consultant.
• Strong collaboration with internal and external SMEs.
• Proactive in identifying and solving technical challenges.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• CAD and data analysis software experience a plus.
• Must be able to sit/stand for 90 minutes.
• Lifting up to 50 pounds regularly.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and introduction of new high-performance cable products and processes from concept to production readiness.
• Design and execute engineering trials to evaluate new materials, processes, and cable constructions.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for high-speed extrusion, shielding, braiding, and jacketing operations.
• Collaborate with design engineers, manufacturing teams, and quality assurance to ensure product performance meets specifications.
• Analyze lab and production data to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and improve reliability.
• Support prototyping, material selection, and process validation during early-stage R&D.
• Document technical findings and contribute to internal knowledge bases and design guides.
• Interface with suppliers and industry experts to coordinate development efforts and resolve challenges.
• Develop test plans, qualification protocols, and product specifications per industry standards.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and new materials relevant to cable design.

Skills

Cable development

High-speed extrusion

Process optimization

Data analysis

Technical documentation

Mentorship

CAD

MS Office

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or bachelor's in related engineering discipline

Tools

CAD

Data analysis software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Engineering Specialist - Wilsonville, Oregon. This is a hands-on technical role within the New Ventures cable development team. On site, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, non-exempt.

The Engineering Specialist is a role that utilizes significant experience and skillset within a technical discipline for high-speed cable manufacturing. Primary responsibilities of the role include driving improvement to the state-of-the-art products, materials, and manufacturing systems for the business. The focus will be on development of new enabling technologies to support the product roadmap. The individual in the role will be expected to work hands on and consult on projects across engineering lanes while operating with a large degree of independence.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• 1. Support the development and introduction of new high-performance cable products and processes from concept to production readiness.
• 2. Design and execute engineering trials to evaluate new materials, processes, and cable constructions.
• 3. Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for high-speed extrusion, shielding, braiding, and jacketing operations.
• 4. Collaborate with design engineers, manufacturing teams, and quality assurance to ensure product performance meets electrical, mechanical, and environmental specifications.
• 5. Analyze lab and production data to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and improve product consistency and reliability.
• 6. Support prototyping, material selection, and process validation activities during early-stage R&D and product development.
• 7. Document technical findings and contribute to internal knowledge bases, design guides, and standard practices.
• 8. Interface with suppliers and industry experts to coordinate development efforts and resolve technical challenges.
• 9. Develop test plans, qualification protocols, and product specifications in accordance with industry standards.
• 10. Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and new materials relevant to cable design and processing.
• 11. Provide coaching and mentorship to Engineering Technicians and technical operations associates.

*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:

• 1. Minimum 10 years of experience in a cable development and manufacturing environment, or related experience.
• 2. Must have extensive working knowledge within one or more engineering disciplines in cable manufacturing including process, controls, mechanical, and product.
• 3. Must be able to interpret and create technical documentation including drawings, schematics, standard operating procedures, and technical reports.
• 4. Ability to work independently, as a team member, and as an internal consultant to accomplish results.
• 5. Ability to collaborate with both internal and external subject matter experts.
• 6. Demonstrates strong initiative to identify and solve technical challenges.
• 7. Proficient with Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• 8. Experience with CAD and data analysis software packages is a plus.
• 9. Must be able to sit/stand for at least 90 consecutive minutes.
• 10. Lifting Requirements: Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds regularly from floor to waist.

Education:

• 1. High school diploma or GED is required.
• 2. Associate or bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline is a plus.