Principal I, Modeling & Simulation Engineering

Alcon MX; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 131,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel - up to 10%

Sponsorship - Yes

Job summary

Alcon is seeking a Principal I, Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineer to advance simulation-driven design for electronic and electromechanical medical device systems. The role focuses on SI, PI, EMI analysis, and system-level modeling to optimize performance and reliability across the product lifecycle.

The engineer will collaborate with electrical, mechanical, firmware, and systems teams to reduce prototyping, accelerate timelines, and support verification and regulatory activities,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering or related field.
• Experience with SI/PI analysis for high-speed digital systems.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC fundamentals and testing.
• Experience with PCB design tools and layout practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform SI and PI analysis for high-speed interfaces (DDR4/5, MIPI, USB).
• Develop models to evaluate channel performance, impedance, crosstalk, timing margins, and PDN.
• Support simulation sign-off and provide design recommendations.
• Conduct pre-layout and post-layout analyses for PCB/package designs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve performance issues.

Skills

Signal Integrity

Power Integrity

EMI/EMC

High-speed interfaces

Python/MATLAB scripts

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Ansys SIwave

Altium

Cadence

CST Studio Suite

Job description

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers.

Principal I, Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineer

Will support the development, validation, and application of computational models and simulation methodologies for electronic and electromechanical systems used in medical devices. This role will focus on Signal Integrity (SI), Power Integrity (PI), electromagnetic analysis, and system-level Modeling to evaluate and optimize product performance, reliability, and robustness throughout the product development lifecycle. The engineer will work closely with electrical, mechanical, firmware, and systems engineering teams to leverage simulation-driven design approaches, reduce physical prototyping, accelerate development timelines, and support design verification and regulatory submissions.

This role is on-site in our Lake Forest, CA location and a typical day would include:

• Perform Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) analysis for high-speed digital interfaces, including DDR4, DDR5, MIPI, USB, and other high-speed communication protocols.
• Develop simulation models to evaluate channel performance, impedance discontinuities, crosstalk, timing margins, power delivery networks, and electromagnetic compatibility.
• Support simulation sign-off activities and provide design recommendations to improve electrical performance and robustness.
• Conduct pre-layout and post-layout analyses for PCB and package designs.
• Develop and validate electrical simulation models that predict system performance under varying operating conditions.
• Apply electromagnetic, circuit, and system-level simulation techniques to support product design optimization and risk reduction.
• Contribute to virtual prototyping initiatives to reduce design iterations and accelerate product development.
• Perform trade studies and sensitivity analyses to support engineering decision‑making.
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, systems, reliability, and manufacturing engineering teams to identify and resolve performance issues.
• Present simulation findings and design recommendations to technical stakeholders.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of simulation methodologies, assumptions, validation activities, and results.
• Follow applicable quality system requirements, SOPs, and GxP regulations.
• Support regulatory submissions and product verification activities through simulation-based analyses when appropriate.
• Support design reviews and verification activities with simulation-based evidence.

What You’ll Bring to Alcon:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs).
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English.
• 5 Years of Relevant Experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Signal Integrity and Power Integrity analysis of high-speed digital systems.
• Working knowledge of transmission line theory, electromagnetic fields, PCB design, and power distribution networks.
• Experience with one or more simulation tools: Ansys HFSS, Ansys SIwave Altium, Cadence, CST Studio Suite.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools.
• Programming or scripting experience using Python, MATLAB, Tcl, or similar languages for automation and data analysis.
• Familiarity with design verification methodologies and hardware debugging.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC fundamentals is desirable.
• Experience in medical devices, consumer electronics, or embedded systems is a plus.

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities. Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!

Benefits:

Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.

• Travel - up to 10%
• Sponsorship - Yes

Compensation and Benefits:

Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long-term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short-term and long-term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well‑being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.

The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.

Pay Range 130,900.00 - 169,400.00 Pay Frequency Annual

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

At Alcon, we are committed to helping people see better. We believe patients should have access to quality eye care regardless of their economic circumstances; however, barriers to good eye health exist for patients in both developed and emerging markets. Alcon develops and manufactures innovative devices to serve the full life cycle of eye care needs. Its surgical group is one of the largest makers of equipment used for cataract removal and laser vision correction. Its consumer products include the well‑known Opti-Free line of contact lens solutions and related products. Alcon, which was founded in 1945, sells its products in 180 countries worldwide.