Principal I, Modeling & Simulation Engineering

alcon; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel - up to 10%

Sponsorship

Job summary

Alcon seeks a Principal I, Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineer to develop, validate, and apply computational models for SI/PI, EMI/EMC, and system-level analysis of medical device components. You will collaborate with electrical, mechanical, firmware, and systems teams to accelerate product development while reducing prototyping needs.

You will lead signal integrity analyses, build simulation models, and contribute to regulatory submissions with simulation-based evidence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of related experience.
• 5 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English.

Responsibilities

• Perform SI and PI analysis for high-speed digital interfaces (DDR4/DDR5, MIPI, USB, etc.).
• Develop and validate simulation models to evaluate channel performance, impedance, crosstalk, timing margins, and EMI/EMC.
• 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 predicting system performance under varying conditions.
• Apply electromagnetic, circuit, and system-level techniques to optimize design and reduce risk.
• Contribute to virtual prototyping to reduce iterations and accelerate development.
• Present findings and recommendations to technical stakeholders with clear documentation.
• Support regulatory submissions and product verification through simulation-based evidence.

Skills

Signal Integrity

Power Integrity

EMI/EMC knowledge

Python scripting

MATLAB

Tcl scripting

PCB layout knowledge

Altium

Ansys HFSS

Ansys SIwave

Cadence

CST Studio Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Altium

Cadence

CST Studio Suite

Ansys HFSS

Ansys SIwave

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. Are you ready to join us?

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!

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

• Travel - up to 10%
• Sponsorship - Yes