Product Design Engineer

Product Design Engineer

The Product Design Engineer leads end-to-end design of connector and high-speed interconnect products, taking concepts from initial idea through production release. This role focuses on designing injection-molded and progressive die-stamped components for high-speed, high-volume manufacturing while balancing performance, yield, and cost. You will act as a technical authority on connector architecture, materials, tooling, and production constraints, partnering closely with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, scalable product solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product design for connector and high-speed interconnect products from concept through production release.
• Design injection-molded components with a strong focus on manufacturability, mechanical design, tolerance stack-ups, and GD&T to optimize performance, yield, and cost.
• Design progressive die-stamped components suitable for high-speed, high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Develop designs that are fully compatible with reel-to-reel processes, plating, forming, and final assembly operations.
• Serve as a technical authority on connector architecture, materials selection, tooling considerations, and production constraints.
• Provide engineering input for product scoping, feasibility assessments, and cost modeling to support business and technical decisions.
• Partner cross-functionally with manufacturing, tooling, plating, process, quality, test, suppliers, sales, and marketing to ensure successful product development and launch.
• Troubleshoot and resolve design and manufacturing issues during new product development, pilot builds, and production ramp-up.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, including documentation practices, CAD models, file management, and release processes.
• Create and interpret detailed engineering drawings and GD&T to clearly communicate design intent.
• Mentor and influence design direction, helping guide teams toward robust, scalable product solutions.
• Collaborate across multiple engineering teams and disciplines in an engineering-driven environment focused on long-term product success.
• Work in a hands-on capacity, engaging directly with product designs, tooling, and manufacturing considerations rather than operating in a purely managerial or conceptual role.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of experience in connector design, interconnect systems, or closely related electromechanical products.
• Proven experience designing products that combine injection-molded and progressive die-stamped components.
• High-speed, high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience designing connectors that go through plating processes and are compatible with reel-to-reel manufacturing.
• Experience with board-to-board connector design.
• Experience working with 224G or 112G high-speed products.
• Advanced proficiency in Solid Works, AutoCAD, or similar CAD platforms.
• Strong understanding of plastic materials and molding constraints.
• Strong understanding of metal stamping design principles.
• Strong understanding of tooling limitations and capabilities in both molding and stamping.
• Ability to interpret and create detailed engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Experience working within corporate engineering standards for documentation, file management, and release processes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across manufacturing, tooling, plating, process, quality, test, suppliers, sales, and marketing teams.
• Comfort working in an engineering-driven environment focused on long-term product success.
• Willingness to work in a hands-on engineering role rather than a purely managerial or conceptual position.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience in industries such as connectors, electronic interconnects, automotive, aerospace, industrial electronics, or communications.
• Current or previous experience in connector manufacturing or connector design is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with simulation tools such as FEA and thermal modeling is a plus, but not mandatory.
• Ability to provide engineering input for product scoping, feasibility, and cost modeling.
• Ability to mentor others and positively influence design direction.
• Values engineering…