Principal Engineer - Medical Connectors & Cables (Hybrid role)

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:

• Design and develop innovative new products and technologies to robust quality standards and in a manner consistent with business strategy and processes
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentoring to project teams with a focus on interconnect solutions for medical applications
• Demonstrate end-to-end product lifecycle ownership that supports achievement of vitality and growth targets that outperform our chosen market segments
• Manage efficient use of capital assets and development investment to grow headline operating profitability

Responsibilities:

• Support, contribute to, and promote a safe work environment
• Leverage industry, application, and technical expertise to mentor, guide, challenge, and grow team members
• Support creation and execution of technology and product roadmaps
• Develop technology and process know-how needed to produce superior designs
• Create detailed cable, connector, and contact designs that can be reliably sourced and manufactured to agreed performance and cost targets
• Lead and support cross functional design reviews including requirements definition, manufacturability assessments, and application of GD&T
• Translate customer specifications into design, manufacturing, quality, and testing requirements
• Perform root cause analyses utilizing established problem solving tools and methodologies
• Proactively identify project risks and mitigation plans to accelerate the development cycle and ensure delivery commitments are met
• Facilitate build and evaluation of functional and non-functional prototypes leveraging internal and external resources
• Provide technical support to organizational stakeholders including Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing and Sales
• Support Sales and Marketing in preparing quotations and bid packages
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Smiths Way value system

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical / Mechanical / Industrial / Electronics Engineering or Related Field with at least 12-15 years of relevant experience
• Capable use of SolidWorks modeling, drawing and mechanical simulation packages
• In depth knowledge in selection and application of engineering grade polymers, metals, composites, and alloys
• Design for manufacturability utilizing machining, molding, deep drawing, turning, stamping and/or additive manufacturing methods
• Strong knowledge of contact termination, strain relief and over-molding techniques and principles
• Expert use of FMEA and tolerance analysis tools to inform robust design decisions
• Awareness of EMI/RF shielding and IPXX sealing techniques
• Knowledge of RF, digital, fiber optic, and power interconnects
• Experience developing interconnect solutions for medical applications with insights into overall system operation
• Familiarity with ISO13485, ISO9001, IEC 60601, EIA-364, and FDA21CFR
• Must live within driving distance of Kansas City to commute to office location a few days a week
• Experience working in the medical industry or any other highly regulated industry preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus or experience working with international teams.
• Ability to travel to Tijuana, Mexico every 2-3 months for business meetings. 

Planning and Decision Making:

• Lead cross functional project team to ensure milestones are achieved and risks are mitigated
• Work on unusually complex technical problems and provides highly innovative solutions
• Set priorities and drive completion of needed deliverables with minimal assistance
• Identify and implement changes in working conditions and use of equipment, systems, tools and process to increase organizational effectivity
• Analyze and resolve work problems independently and supports others in doing the same
• Utilize experience, analytical capacity, problem solving tools, and judgment to plan and accomplish goals
• Propose short and long-term investments in talent and capitol to ensure team remains highly competitive.

Additional Information

Identified Training:

• Self-guided training on global policies & procedures including GP03-001 (Global Design & Development), GP03-002 (NPI Project Management), and all policies, work instructions, and templates referenced therein
• Product and application training as provided by Product Specialists and utilizing product presentations on SharePoint
• External training on GD&T, contact physics, and IPC-610/620 workmanship standards
• Introduction to key stakeholders and their functional roles and responsibilities including Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Quality, and Manufacturing
• Mandatory trainings identified by Global Learning Resource (GLR) including export compliance, fair trade, anti-bribery/corruption laws, and business ethics

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.
• Some travel may be required for training and/or other business purposes including customer and/or supplier visits (travel < 15%)
• Understanding that evolving business needs may modify responsibilities over time

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)