Senior Product Engineer

Description

Position Summary:

The Senior Product Engineer for the CeramIQ Business Units (BU) is a manufacturing-focused technical leader responsible for managing a product engineering team focused on New Product Introductions (NPI) of Radio Frequency (RF) components and modules utilizing Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics (LTCC) technology among others. This role owns the productization of new RF components and modules from concept through stable high-volume production, with strong emphasis on manufacturability, yield, reliability, cost, and process robustness. The position works closely with R&D and Design Engineering, Marketing, Project Management, Manufacturing Process Engineering (MPE), Machine Automation Engineering Design (MAED), Quality, Reliability, and Supply Chain to commercialize high-performance RF components and modules for markets such as Aerospace and Defense, Satellite Communications, Telecommunications, Test and Measurement, and Automotive.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $150,000 per year

Job Function:

Technical Leadership and NPI Execution

• Lead and mentor a team of Product Engineers responsible for Ceramic-based RF component and module NPIs.
• Support the end-to-end NPI and productization process, from requirements definition and feasibility through pilot builds, yield ramp, qualification, and production release.
• Translate customer and market requirements into clear technical specifications with an emphasis on manufacturability, cost targets, and process capability.
• Provide technical oversight of RF designs with focus on manufacturable architecture, robust tolerances, and process capability.
• Review RF simulations and designs to ensure compliance with performance requirements within the boundaries of the manufacturing process capabilities.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Test (DFT), and Design for Reliability (DFR) best practices specific to LTCC and other Ceramic processes.
• Define acceptable design margins and tolerances considering the manufacturing process capabilities.
• Partner with R&D to transition new designs and technologies into repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Act as the primary engineering interface to manufacturing, characterization, validation and verification for all CeramIQ NPI projects.
• Establish process flows, control plans, and key process parameters to ensure consistent electrical and mechanical performance.
• Lead yield improvement, scrap reduction, and cost-down initiatives during pilot and production ramp phases.
• Drive structured root cause analysis (e.g., SPC, DOE, 8D) for yield, reliability, or performance excursions.
• Support supplier and vendor selection, development, and qualification for new and existing technologies and critical outsourced processes.
• Define and execute electrical, mechanical, environmental, and reliability qualification plans with strong linkage to manufacturing risks and failure modes.
• Ensure process capability and reliability targets are met prior to full production release.
• Oversee failure analysis and corrective actions for qualification and production-related issues.
• Ensure products and processes meet applicable regulatory, quality, and customer-specific requirements (e.g., aerospace, defense, automotive standards).
• Support customer technical discussions, design-in activities, and post-launch technical support as needed.
• Contribute to product roadmaps and technology development plans aligned with business strategy.
• Drive NPI schedules with focus on manufacturing readiness, yield maturity, and on-time production release.
• Identify and mitigate manufacturing and supply chain risks early in the development cycle.
• Support value engineering, cost reduction, and process simplification initiatives across the product lifecycle.
• Ensure robust documentation, configuration control, and engineering change management for manufacturing execution.
• Own and drive key manufacturing KPIs for new and released products, including first-pass yield, final yield, scrap rate, rework rate, cycle time, and cost of poor quality (COPQ).
• Establish process capability targets (e.g., Cp/Cpk) for critical fabrication, assembly, and test processes.
• Track and report NPI maturity metrics such as pilot yield trends, qualification pass rates, and production readiness indicators.
• Lead data-driven continuous improvement initiatives using KPI trends to prioritize actions and investments.

Qualifications:

• BSc.EE or MSc.EE with Microwave Theory coursework.
• 8+ years of experience in RF/microwave product engineering, manufacturing engineering, or NPI roles.
• Demonstrated experience productizing RF products and leading NPIs from concept through stable production in a manufacturing environment.
• Significant hands-on experience with RF component and module testing, characterization, and data analysis.
• Proven experience creating and releasing RF test plans, block diagrams, and test specifications for production test and customer-facing datasheets or catalog specifications.
• Demonstrated success correlating RF test performance across different manufacturing sites, test platforms, or external partners.
• Proven track record of improving yield, reliability, and cost through process and test optimization.
• Prior experience mentoring or leading engineering teams is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of RF and microwave theory as applied to passive component and module manufacturing and test.
• Expert-level understanding of RF test equipment and measurement techniques for components and modules, including multi-port S-parameter measurements, Power Handling, and others (i.e IP3, P1dB, Harmonic Rejection, Noise Figure, ACPR, EVM, Phase Noise etc.)
• Proven experience developing RF test plans, block diagrams, and detailed test specifications for both high-volume production environments and customer-facing catalog specifications.
• Demonstrated expertise in test setup validation, measurement uncertainty analysis, and correlation of RF test results across multiple sites, test systems, or external laboratories.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing process control, SPC, DOE, and Root Cause analysis methodologies.
• Working knowledge of quality systems, Phase Gate Processes (PGP) and/or Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and NPI frameworks, PPAP concepts, and product qualification methodologies.

Skills and Competencies:

• Proven technical leadership and ability to guide complex, factory-facing, cross-functional development efforts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to yield, test, and process improvement.
• Ability to define, standardize, and enforce RF test methodologies across manufacturing and customer-facing environments.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical and test-related concepts to diverse audiences including customers.
• Ability to balance technical depth with schedule, cost, yield, and business considerations.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with Statistical Analysis tools (i.e JMP, Minitab, Tableu, Matlab)
• Experience with RF/EM simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, ADS, CST or equivalent) is a plus.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and standard laboratory equipment.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, satellite, or automotive-qualified RF products.
• Exposure to high-reliability or harsh-environment applications.
• Understanding of supply chain and cost drivers associated with ceramic-based RF components.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to operate a computer keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Cultural Focus:

• Displays enthusiasm and Passion for their work
• Works to the standard of Uncompromising Quality by meeting or exceeding stated objectives and embracing continuous improvement
• Exercises sound Business Judgement, ensuring that efforts are on track with the Companys goals
• Operates with the mindset of Customer Obsession - by meeting or exceeding expectations to both internal and external customers
• Takes Accountability by taking ownership and accepting responsibility for their conduct and contributions
• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency and accomplishes tasks with Speed and attention to detail
• Cooperates, collaborates and contributes to shared goals with a strong sense of Teamwork
• Conducts themselves with Honesty & Integrity and treats all members with Trust & Respect

Additional Requirements/Skills:

• US Citizen or US Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder)
• Comply, understand, and support corporate safety initiatives to ensure a safe work environment
• Ability and willingness to abide by Companys Code of Conduct
• Combination of office, laboratory, and manufacturing floor environments.
• Occasional travel for customer meetings, supplier visits, or manufacturing support may be required.

Benefits:

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including [paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k)] to eligible employees.
• Comprehensive Medica, Dental and Vision Plans
• 401k and Profit -Sharing Programs
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employer-Sponsored Wellness Plans
• Commuter Benefits
• Hospital & Accident Indemnity Insurance
• Employee Benefit Advocate &Employee Assistance Program

Disclaimer: The listed qualifications and requirements for each position are intended as guidelines. Mini-Circuits reserves the right to hire outside of these guidelines at Managements discretion.