Senior Staff Engineer-Electrical

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BASIC FUNCTION:

Technical direction of major new research and development, product design and product improvement projects. Planning, scheduling, and coordination of design and development projects. This position requires technical innovation as well as a high level of technical skill in the areas of design, analysis, development, and testing of new products and components. Accountable for external trend monitoring and application discovery in the area of electronics, control, human machine interface and system integration. The individual selected will be viewed as an innovator and must have the ability to synthesize consumer insights, manufacturing processes, and business domain evaluation. Additionally this individual is capable of working independently to lead teams of internal and external resources toward executing our plans.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Monitor and synthesize technology trends in the areas of electronics, consumer device networking, communciation systems, electronic packaging, controls and power electronics.
Present and maintain Technology Roadmap to PA Management and Business Teams.
Interface regularly and provide collaborative dialogue with Business Teams and Staff Functions – understanding their needs, sharing information and pursuading them of recommendations.
Prepares project, technical, cost and other reports to show project progress as required..
Understanding of PCB Design, Electronics packaging, Controls, Power Electronics, Networking and Systems design.
General understanding of Mechanics and Materials (Flows, Seals, Chemical Testing, Corrosion, etc.)
Apply Innovation/Screening tools to technology options.
Determines the technical feasibility of new product concepts. Prepares detailed project plans including technical objectives and approaches, design specifications, test specifications, schedule plans, project cost estimates and product cost analyses.
Must be capable to carry out in-depth design and development work of an advanced and complex nature.
Directs and coordinates all work by engineers, support personnel, and outside groups involving design, development, drafting, prototype construction, and test and evaluation of product concepts. Works closely with project groups to assure smooth transition to product development.
Mentors less senior engineers and technical support personnel in technical areas as required.

RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS

Responsible for coordinating external and internal contract and technical support.
Effectively communicates to executive management and converts complex topics from engineering speech to easily understood concepts.
Provides technical direction to and coordination of activities of less senior engineers and skilled non-exempt technical support personnel.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Director, Applied Technology
Dotted line reporting to Platforms, Engineering Directors and Manager of Electrical Engineering.
Frequent contact and coordination with Legal on IP issues.
Frequent contact with Project Engineering personnel, Marketing, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Industrial Design regarding design, application, and specifications for new products.
Works across product categories to ensure learnings are shared, pace is matched, and systems are supporting.
Occasional contact with Accounting, Consumer Affairs, Corporate Management, and other company groups as required.
Moderate contact with Quality, Reliability and product reliability issues.

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Frequent contact with vendors/suppliers throughout product development process regarding part designs, material specifications, tooling considerations, and component specifications.
Occasionally attend engineering and trade shows and seminars to investigate new products, processes, and materials, and in general to improve overall knowledge.
Occasional contact with outside consultants/analysts regarding technical product design and development beyond in-house capabilities or resource limitations.

LEVEL OF SKILL

A Staff Engineer possesses a high level of technical and management skills necessary to complete complex
and multi-faceted projects. Communication and team building/leading skills must be exemplary. No technical supervision is required. The ability to direct the activities of other support personnel to meet project objectives is very important. Indirect supervisory responsibilities of a project staff is likely within this position.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical or Electromechanical) with 10 years of steadily increasing experience or Master’s Degree in Engineering or in Business Administration with eight years of experience. Preferred experience – automotive systems, appliance design and development, mechanism design.