Your Job
As the Manager of Design Engineering, you will lead the development of high-speed connector and cable assembly solutions for mission-critical applications in aerospace, defense, and other high-performance environments. You will oversee the design and engineering of new cable products, ensuring they meet stringent performance, reliability, and compliance standards. This role is essential in advancing our interconnect technology roadmap and delivering innovative solutions to our customers.
Our Team
You will be part of a collaborative, cross-functional team that includes engineering, manufacturing, quality, and business development. Our design engineering organization is focused on delivering high-speed connectors and cable assemblies that meet the evolving needs of our customers in aerospace, defense, and space markets.
What You Will Do
• Lead the design and development of high-speed connector and cable assemblies from concept through production release.
• Manage New Business Opportunity (NBO) project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Translate customer requirements and industry standards into detailed product specifications and design plans.
• Provide sustaining engineering support to ensure our connector and cable assembly products remain reliable, cost-effective, and compliant throughout their lifecycle.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, and supply chain) to ensure design for manufacturability, reliability, compliance, and cost.
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and qualification of new products.
• Drive design reviews, risk assessments, and stage-gate processes throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support customer engagements and technical discussions to define product requirements and resolve design challenges.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace and defense standards (e.g., AS9100, MIL-STD, IPC-620).
• Mentor and develop design engineers, fostering technical excellence and innovation.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives in design processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Travel to customer sites, suppliers, and manufacturing locations (~20%) to support development activities and technical reviews.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in product design and development, with demonstrated project leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of high-speed signal transmission, cable construction, and connector interfaces.
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CREO, NX) and simulation software for signal integrity and thermal analysis.
• Excellent communication, project management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• U.S. citizenship required (due to contractual or export control obligations).
What Will Put You Ahead
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business Administration.
• Experience with aerospace and defense cable assemblies, including RF, fiber optic, or high-speed data cables.
• Knowledge of APQP, DFMEA, DFM/DFA, and qualification testing protocols.
• PMP certification or formal training in project management methodologies.
• Experience working with defense prime contractors and government programs.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
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At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).