Principal Mechanical Engineer (5713)

SubCom; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) plan with generous company match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A leading subsea fiber optic company in Portsmouth, NH, seeks a Mechanical Engineer to focus on the design and development of optical fiber submarine cable hardware. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in mechanical engineering, expertise in Finite Element Analysis, and excellent communication skills. SubCom offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and generous vacation policies. Join a dynamic team and contribute to innovative underwater connectivity solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience in Finite Element, Finite Differences and Other Analysis tools.
• Deep knowledge of high-pressure test systems and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform development, analysis, and testing of undersea hardware.
• Lead teams in New Product Development and Introduction programs.
• Maintain existing hardware designs through Sustaining Engineering.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Finite Element Analysis

Mechanical engineering principles

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science

Master's (preferred)

Tools

CAD tools (Creo or SolidWorks)

ANSYS

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity with plenty of growth potential? Do you enjoy working in an exciting, fast-paced, collaborative environment? Are you interested in working with the world’s most innovative companies to create a more connected world?

Connecting Continents. Impacting Communities.

The backbone of the Internet is a series of high‑tech subsea fiber optic cables deployed throughout the globe - SubCom has deployed over 50% of them. Our employees ensure data communications networks are engineered, manufactured, deployed to the highest standards, enabling faster and more reliable connectivity to communities worldwide. Every member of the SubCom team plays a role in an end‑to‑end process that is critical to enterprises, governments, big cities, and rural towns.

We encourage, expect, and value creativity, thoughtful risk taking, openness to change, and diverse perspectives. Whether you’re a seasoned applicant seeking a new and exciting challenge, or you’re new to the workforce and looking for a flexible, rewarding, and fast‑paced position with an innovative and stable organization (since 1953), SubCom has opportunities to advance your career.

Position Overview

Work as part of the engineering team focused on the design and development of optical fiber submarine cable hardware product development, with special focus on the exterior of undersea network elements (UNEs), including the external protective structure (pressure housings, covers, cones, and pressure seals) and interconnectivity components (electrical/optical pigtail).

Responsibilities

• Perform development, analysis, and testing of undersea hardware for opto‑electric Undersea Network Element (UNE) housings, covers, cones, seals, and pigtails. Includes new product design, process development, documentation, and qualification.
• Lead teams in the implementation of New Product Development and Introduction (NPDI) programs for undersea cable and hardware from the concept phase through to production ramp.
• Maintain existing undersea hardware designs through Sustaining Engineering. Includes providing support to Manufacturing and performing Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) activities to maximize the functionality of designs while driving down overall cost.
• Perform material analyses to support designs for extreme environmental condition applications with special consideration for structural integrity, extreme temperature resistance, leak tightness, thermal management, electrical insulation, corrosion, etc. Materials include, but are not limited to, beryllium copper, copper, steel, and polyethylene.
• Perform Finite Element Analyses in support of the SubCom Design community. Analyses may focus on issues such as mechanical stress, high voltage electrical fields, thermal performance, and may relate to other mechanical areas of undersea systems, such as joints, cable, etc.
• Advise department engineers on best practices for FEA simulations by establishing standardized workflows, conducting technical workshops, and providing general guidance.
• Work collectively with a team of diverse professionals including factory process engineers, reliability engineers, manufacturing operators, and program managers.
• Create and perform undersea hardware qualification testing programs of new designs.
• Write clear and concise reports with summaries of analyses, test results, and other work output.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of various materials as pertaining to structural integrity, manufacturability, thermal management, and longevity for high reliability products in deep water undersea environments.
• Exhibit a deep knowledge of high‑pressure test systems, TIG welding, brazing, x‑ray equipment, Helium leak detection equipment and operation, polyethylene molding, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science is required, Master’s is preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of mechanical engineering experience with a deep foundation in mechanics and analysis.
• Experience in Finite Element, Finite Differences and Other Analysis tools. CAD tools such as Creo or SolidWorks, and experience with ANSYS (or similar) is required.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Candidates for positions with SubCom must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Our selection procedure is based on local, state and federal law.

Please be sure to attach a resume to your application. We are not able to consider applications without a resume.

Benefits

SubCom offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to: competitive salaries, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverages, FSA, HSA, generous vacation, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, and a 401(k) plan with generous company match. Additionally, some positions may be eligible for shift differential.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EMPLOYER OPPORTUNITY

SubCom is committed to providing a work environment that prohibits discrimination based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristics protected by applicable law or regulation.

SubCom engineers, manufactures, and installs subsea fiber optic data cables - the unsung heroes of global communication. With an unrelenting focus on quality, reliability, and value, SubCom offers flexible end‑to‑end building blocks for the high‑tech networks that are the backbone of the world's digital infrastructure. While the company's origins date back to the mid‑19th century, SubCom has deployed enough cable to circle the equator more than 25 times since its entry into the communications industry in 1955.

SUBCOM’S CORE VALUES

Quality - Accountability - Teamwork - Innovation