Position: R&D Development EngineerLocation: Hampton Beach, NHArdent Concepts, an Amphenol company, is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance multi-coax and coaxial assemblies, connectors, and interfaces used in the development of next generation quantum computing, semiconductors and electronics systems. Our core technology is the smallest, fastest, and most electrically efficient compression mount connector technology worldwide. As data rate requirements increase and devices and systems shrink, Ardent's products deliver superior signal integrity in a dense footprint that can be reusable across programs to maximize cost savings.
Our focus is on helping bring next generation computing to market through novel connector designs for test & measurement, OEM applications, and specialized military applications. Ardent's patented contact technologies are well suited for advanced multi-GHz applications such as board stack connectors, coaxial connectors, FPGA sockets, flex circuit connectors, probe interfaces, and mezzanine card connectors. We have a complete line of high-performance test socket solutions for the most advanced chipsets such as RF devices, ASICS, switches, processors, and MEMS devices. We support chip to chip, chip to board, board to board, and flex to board applications.
We are currently seeking a R&D Development Engineer to lead a team in creating, defining next generation superconducting interconnects. Ardent has experienced explosive growth in the last 5 years and it is imperative that we stay ahead of the technology requirements in cold/Quantum computing space.. We are looking for a senior product designer to help us develop and characterize the superconducting transmission lines of the future. This position is located in our Hampton Beach, NH office.
POSITION SUMMARY: As a R&D Development Engineer, the candidate will be one of the mechanical design leads on our research and development team defining Ardent's superconducting product offering. This role is responsible for helping to ensure the product roadmap aligns with the industry needs (current and future), and maintaining Amphenol's status as the industry leader in technology. In addition to being a design expert, the role provides the opportunity, on the front end of the business, for direct interaction with customers, and internal sales and marketing teams. This role also requires significant interaction with SI Engineering, internal manufacturing sites, external vendors, and all of the other disciplines within the organization.
Product Development Engineering is not only responsible for the actual product design, but also for the enabling technologies (materials, manufacturing processes, etc) that enable the final product to be realized. The position will require excellent communication with many different types of people from management to prototype vendors. The responsibilities cover everything from true R&D work, to helping to secure patents (IP), to preparing a final product for high volume manufacturing and maximum profitability.
Superconducting interconnects enable most all of the world's Quantum and cold computer systems and require some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies, and highest levels of precision, in the engineering world. These challenges require the most creative, and technical, of minds, and ultimately provide some of the most rewarding experiences an engineer could hope for.
The right candidate should be motivated by technical challenges, be very creative, know how to be a truly collaborative member of a team, and be willing to wear a number of hats throughout the many phases of a project.
RESPONSIBILITIES: - Lead a development arm of superconducting transmission lines and interfaces.
- Working directly with Signal Integrity (EE) team to ensure the mechanical design supports the electrical performance requirements of the product.
- Ideal candidate will have experience with braiding equipment and flexible coaxial cable manufacturing.
- Responsible for material selection (metal, plastic, surface coatings, etc).
- Developing initial product specifications and technical documentation.
- Must develop and cultivate new suppliers to attempt unusual manufacturing challenges.
- Interfacing directly with customers during multiple phases of a project, and aiding in the sales process.
- Working directly with internal and external suppliers for DFM, prototyping exercises, and production tooling design and qualifications. Including the occasional travel to manufacturing and assembly sites around the world.
- Provide technical assistance to product marketing and sales teams.
- Participate in quality investigations and quality improvement initiatives in support of operational excellence.
- Participate in fixture/tooling design and in creating and managing test plans (both mechanical and electrical).
- Active participation in cost reduction projects (alternative material discovery, manufacturing efficiency improvements, etc).
- Occasional requirement of making presentations to upper management on projects/development.
- Occasionally required attendance of industry trade shows, expositions, conferences.
QUALIFICATIONS: - MSME, BSME, Physics, or similar field
- Minimum of 4+ years industry experience in concurrent project management
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Highly capable with solid modeling/CAE/CAD tools (Pro/E, Solidworks, etc.)
- High level of manufacturing technology experience
- Experience in tolerance analysis
- Proficiency with MS Office suite
- Good understanding of GD&T methodologies
- Familiarity with patent (intellectual property) law, and the patent application process
- Ability to communicate with both technical & non-technical people
- Ability to work in dynamic team environment
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently
- Ability to travel ~10% domestic and international
ADDITIONAL: - Knowledge of copper and conductive alloys and high-performance engineering plastics
- Experience with FEA tools
- Understanding of basic contact physics
- Basic understanding of electrical engineering
