Position Summary:
The Senior Product Engineer for the µCeramIQ 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.
Job Function:
Technical Leadership and NPI Execution
- Lead and mentor a team of Product Engineers responsible for Ceramic-based RF components 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 µCeramIQ 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.
Benefits:
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including [paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k)] to eligible employees.
- Comprehensive Medical, 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
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $140,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- How many years of experience working with RF products?
Education:
Experience:
- Manufacturing engineering: 8 years (Required)
- Team management: 2 years (Required)
- test equipment: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
