Staff Engineer – Product Development (Contact Systems)

Amphenol Communications Solutions; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Amphenol Communications Solutions is seeking a Staff Engineer to lead power connector product development, shaping technical direction and delivering cost-effective solutions for data center, telecom, and industrial applications.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical/electro-mechanical design, experience with Creo, DFMEA, and cross-functional leadership across engineering, manufacturing, and customers.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering.
• 6+ years of mechanical design and product development in electrical components, connector systems, or cable assemblies.
• Strong expertise in connector design including power connectors, contact systems, sealing, and strain relief.
• Background in connector or cable assembly design and manufacturing processes (stamping, molding, assembly, plating).
• Proficient with 3D CAD (Creo), GD&T, DFMEA and validation testing.
• Experience launching designs into production and knowledge of DFM/ DFA.

Responsibilities

• Lead design reviews with cross-functional teams and align with customer expectations.
• Drive cost reductions through design optimization, material choices, and manufacturing improvements.
• Introduce new technologies and design techniques to improve performance and efficiency.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship across the product development lifecycle.
• Lead training programs to elevate engineering capability in power connector design and applications.
• Capture lessons-learned and implement standardized design practices.

Skills

Power connector design

Mechanical design

3D CAD Creo

DFMEA / FEA

GD&T

DFM / DFA

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

English communication

office tools

Education

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Creo

Ansys/Workbench

PDM tools

MS Office

Job description

Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS), a division of Amphenol Corporation, is a world leader in interconnect solutions for Communications, Mobile, RF, Optics, and Commercial electronics markets. Amphenol Corporation is one of the world’s largest designers and manufacturers of electrical, electronic and fiber optic connectors and interconnect systems, antennas, sensors and sensor-based products and coaxial and high-speed specialty cable. ACS has an expansive global presence in research and development, manufacturing, and sales. We design and manufacture a wide range of innovative connectors as well as cable assemblies for diverse applications including server, storage, data center, mobile, RF, networking, industrial, business equipment, and automotive.

Job Summary

Amphenol Power Solutions is seeking a Staff Engineer to lead product development initiatives across power connectors and cable assembly solutions. This role plays a critical part in shaping technical direction and delivering innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective solutions that meet market and customer demands.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic technical leader with a strong background in mechanical and electro-mechanical design, including power connector architecture, contact system design, sealing, and cable interface solutions, with a proven ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and mentor engineering talent.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead design reviews, ensuring technical rigor, cross-functional alignment, and alignment to customer expectations.
• Drive cost reduction through innovative design, material optimization, and manufacturing improvements.
• Introduce and champion new technologies, tools, and design techniques to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Provide deep technical guidance and mentorship across the product development lifecycle.
• Lead training programs to elevate engineering capability, especially in power connector design and applications.
• Capture lessons-learned and implement best practices and standardized design approaches.

Product Development & Execution

• Support full-cycle development of power connectors, contact systems, and cable assemblies from concept through production.
• Design and optimize electrical contact systems (current carrying capability, contact resistance, thermal performance, plating, and durability).
• Develop robust strain relief solutions to ensure mechanical integrity and long-term reliability of cable-to-connector interfaces.
• Design sealed connectors and interfaces, including gasket selection, IP rating compliance, and environmental performance (dust, water, temperature).
• Translate Voice of Customer (VOC) into clear engineering specifications through close collaboration with customers and internal teams.
• Perform concept development, feasibility studies, and mechanical/thermal simulations.
• Create 2D/3D CAD designs (Creo preferred), conduct DFMEA, and perform tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Build prototypes, execute validation testing, and lead product qualification to final release.
• Ensure designs meet electrical, mechanical, and environmental requirements across applications.
• Support manufacturing, tooling, and quality teams for successful product launch.
• Manage product issues, ECNs/PCNs, and drive continuous improvement.

Process, Collaboration & Strategy

• Provide technical documentation including design history files, drawings, engineering change notices, and qualification reports.
• Collaborate with global teams, procurement, and suppliers to meet all quality, technical, and cost targets.
• Maintain awareness of competitor technologies and contribute to the strategic IP positioning of new designs. Generate and maintain technical documentation (drawings, specifications, DFMEA, validation reports, DHF).
• Collaborate with global engineering, procurement, and suppliers to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) for connector and cable solutions.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and contribute to innovation and IP strategy in power connectivity.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in mechanical design and product development within electrical components, connector systems, or cable assemblies.
• Strong expertise in connector design (preferably power connectors), including:
  • Contact systems (high current, low resistance, plating, wear)
  • Sealing systems (IP-rated connectors, gaskets, environmental protection)
  • Strain relief and cable interface design
• Strong background in connector, or cable assembly design and related manufacturing processes (stamping, molding, assembly, plating).
• Expertise in 3D CAD design (preferably Creo), PDM tools, GD&T, and limit/tolerance analysis.
• Proficient with FEA software (Ansys/Workbench) for mechanical simulation involving elastic/plastic deformation.
• Skilled in creating product specifications, design documentation, and conducting DFMEA and validation testing.
• Solid understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and experience launching designs into production.
• Proven leadership experience with ability to influence across engineering, manufacturing, and customer functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with ability to operate in a global, cross-functional environment.
• Advanced problem-solving abilities and data-driven decision making under limited direction.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration platforms (Teams, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Strong experience in designing latching mechanisms, sealing mechanisms, and plastic injection molded parts.
• Knowledge of product design methodologies: GD&T, DFM, DFMEA, statistical tolerance stack analysis.
• Experience in product testing, validation processes, and qualification protocols.
• Understanding of Six Sigma and statistical process control (DFSS knowledge is a plus).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively present technical information to global customers and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of global industry standards and regulatory certifications (e.g., UL, IEC, EIA).
• High technical aptitude and willingness to continually learn and adapt to new technologies.

Behavioral Competencies

• Performance Focused: Executes efficiently, meeting project deadlines and deliverables.
• Creative Thinker: Brings innovative, long-term solutions to technical challenges.
• Coach: Capable of mentoring others and leading technical project teams.
• Up to 25% travel domestically and internationally.

Amphenol Corporation is proud of our reputation as an excellent employer. Our focus is to provide the highest level of support and responsiveness to both our employees and our customers, the world's largest technology companies. Amphenol Corporation offers the opportunity for career growth within a global organization. We believe that Amphenol Corporation is unique in that every employee, regardless of his or her position, has the ability to positively impact the business.

Amphenol is an \u201cEqual Opportunity Employer\u201d - Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin. For additional company information please visit our website at https://www.amphenol-cs.com/