Design Engineer (Hybrid)

Company Description

About Smiths Interconnect:

Smiths Interconnect, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in mission-critical applications across industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality, and providing cutting-edge solutions that connect the world’s most demanding systems.

Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defense, space & aerospace and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs c.16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries. 

Job Description

Job Purpose:

• Lead, design, and develop innovative new products and technologies to robust quality standards and in a manner consistent with business strategy and processes
• Demonstrate end-to-end product lifecycle ownership leveraging the full value chain of the business including: Sourcing, Operations, Quality and Test.

Responsibilities:

• Develops technology and products to ensure designs are technologically competitive and aligned to business needs.
• Leverage businesses established and differentiated contact technologies to develop value added connector systems for a variety of customers and applications
• Lead/support group design reviews using calculations, experimental results or other verification methods.
• Leverage established tools such as DFMEA to verify and validate robust design requirements
• Interpret product specifications and translate them into design and/or manufacturing requirements.
• Coordinate the construction of functional and non-functional prototypes with internal and external vendors.
• Manage the priority and urgency associated with multiple project deliverables. Including planning, communicating, and meeting commitments
• Provide technical support to organizational stakeholders (Test, Sourcing, Production, Quality, Marketing and Sales).
• Participate and contribute to team training, development, mentoring and audits.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with company policies. 
• Perform root cause analyses utilizing established problem-solving tools and methodologies.

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 3-5 years' work-related experience in the Defense or Aerospace industries. 
• Able to work and set priorities independently with minimal assistance.
• Experience with the design and application of spring probe contacts a plus.
• Experience with SolidWorks, 3D modeling, drawing and simulation packages.
• Understanding of GD&T, ANSI/ASME standards and the preparation of required documentation.
• Knowledge of engineering grade machined and molded polymers and metals
• Knowledge of metal properties: conductivity, corrosion, machining methods, plating options.
• Familiar with contact technologies and contact physics theory.
• Familiar with manufacturing process to achieve high resolution products (CNC machining, molding, deep drawing, screw machining, additive, stamping, over-molding, etc.)
• Familiarity with ISO13485, ISO9001, AS9100 and ISO14971 standards. 
• Familiar with RF, digital, analog, and power contacts and connectors. Fiber optics a plus.
• Familiarity with RF simulation and PCB design / tools.
• Familiar with cable terminations, strain relief and over-molding techniques a plus.
• Ability to perform Root Cause Analysis utilizing standard problem-solving tools and methodologies.
• Hands-on prototype development experience and rapid prototyping.
• FMEA risk analysis tools.
• Tolerance analysis tools.
• Sealing for IPXX.
• Experience with EMI and RF shielding is a plus.
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent US Resident to be considered for this role. 
• Must be willing to travel to the Mexico production site up to 10% of the time.

Additional Information

Other Requirements:

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts in verbal and written form using the English language.
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Travel for internal business needs (prototyping/training), supplier, and customer visits (travel < 10%)

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)