Senior Research & Development and Product Development Engineer

SR R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER - Fixture Design

At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more connected world. 

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Hardware (Mechanical) Test System Engineer to design and develop advanced Automated Test Equipment (ATE) hardware, fixtures, and interfaces for validating high-speed data connectors and high-power connection solutions used in next-generation AI data centers.
This role focuses on Mechanical hardware, test fixtures, and system integration, ensuring accurate, scalable, and production-ready test solutions. The Engineer shall own mechanical design of fixtures, enclosures, and operator ergonomics with a focus on measurement fidelity, throughput, safety, and serviceability. Collaborate with EE/Controls to ensure the mechanical system enables high quality data capture (alignment, rigidity, thermal stability, shielding) for DAQ centric test systems.
The Test Systems Hardware Engineer (Mechanical / Mechatronics) is responsible for designing and developing the mechanical and electro-mechanical infrastructure for automated test systems. The role focuses on test fixtures, system reliability, environmental control, and physical design considerations that directly impact test data accuracy, repeatability, and long-term stability.

Key Responsibilities:

Mechanical Design & Integration

•    Design test fixtures, enclosures, clamps, and quick change tooling; apply GD&T and tolerance stack ups for repeatable positioning for automated test systems. Develop mechanical systems that ensure repeatable, stable, and accurate test measurements
•    Engineer for rigidity, vibration isolation, thermal stability to protect measurement integrity (signal/sensor accuracy). Address mechanical contributors to test data issues (vibration, thermal effects, wear)
•    Provide mechanical provisions for sensors/transducers, connectors, shielding/grounding paths (in collaboration with EE), and cable management that avoids strain and noise pickup.
•    Design DUT interfaces and fixturing to minimize variation and measurement noise
•    Support integration of sensors, cabling, instrumentation, and DAQ hardware
•    Support system assembly, bring-up, debugging, and validation
•    Create CAD models, drawings, tolerance analyses, and BOMs
•    Create enclosures/guarding, ergonomic features, and error proofing (poka yoke); integrate E stops/interlocks with Controls/EE.

Data Fidelity & Maintainability

•    Design calibration fixtures and alignment tools to support traceability and rapid MSA/GR&R studies.
•    Implement modular, quick swap subassemblies; optimize changeover time and service access (MTTR).
•    Collaborate with software and electrical engineers to ensure data quality and system robustness

Analysis, Validation & Compliance

•    Author acceptance tests for mechanical subsystems (repeatability, drift); document alignment/calibration SOPs.
•    Support compliance with relevant machine/mechanical safety principles.
•    Calibration Compliance: Ensure that all test equipment is calibrated and maintained to uphold the accuracy and reliability of test results.
•    Quality and Regulatory Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements throughout the testing process to uphold product integrity and reliability.
•    Safety and Organization: Ensure safety compliance and maintain a 5S environment in the lab to promote organized and efficient workflows.
•    Adherence to Safety Protocols: Strictly follow safety protocols and procedures when performing tests and handling equipment to ensure a safe working environment.

Mandatory Qualifications:

•    Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
•    8+ years of experience in mechanical design for automation or test systems
•    Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, Creo, Inventor, or equivalent)
•    Experience designing precision fixtures or electro-mechanical systems
•    Simulation Experience - Ansys

 

Nice to Have Qualifications

•    Experience designing test fixtures for electrical or functional testing
•    Understanding of how mechanical design affects measurement accuracy and repeatability
•    Experience with thermal management, vibration control, or environmental enclosures
•    Manufacturing or production test experience

Experience Level

Senior Level