Staff Engineer - Product Development (Contact Systems)

Amphenol ICC

$100K — $130K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Engineering
  • 6+ years in mechanical design and product development for electrical components
  • Strong expertise in power connector design and systems
  • Background in manufacturing processes for connectors and cable assemblies
  • Expertise in 3D CAD (Creo preferred) and FEA software (Ansys)
  • Proven leadership skills across engineering and manufacturing sectors
  • Knowledge of regulatory standards like UL and IEC.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design reviews to ensure technical rigor and alignment with customer needs.
  • Drive cost-reduction initiatives through innovative designs.
  • Champion new technologies and methods to boost performance.
  • Mentor engineering talent across the product development lifecycle.
  • Oversee full-cycle development from concept to production of power connectors.
  • Translate customer feedback into clear technical specifications.
  • Collaborate globally to meet quality and cost targets.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and training programs
  • Collaborative work environment with a diverse range of teams
  • Chance to influence product innovation in a growing field
  • Recognition and career advancement opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements with potential for remote work.
Full Job Description
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.


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