Connector and Cable Interface Engineer

Project

Work done for a product or program.

• Select connectors and cable assemblies against electrical, current-carrying, mating-cycle, retention, sealing and environmental requirements.
• Define cable assembly drawings including conductor construction, shielding, drain wire termination, strain relief, labelling and length tolerance.
• Qualify interconnect electrically by measuring insertion loss, return loss, crosstalk, mode conversion and DC resistance on mated samples.
• Run mechanical and environmental qualification per IEC 60512 including durability cycling, vibration, thermal shock, humidity and mixed-flowing-gas corrosion.
• Specify contact plating, normal force, wipe length and press-fit or SMT footprint requirements and review the land pattern with layout.
• Manage second-source and cross-reference strategy for connectors and cables so single-supplier exposure is bounded.
• Design breakout, riser, paddle-card and adapter hardware for cabled high-speed topologies including twinax and direct-attach assemblies.
• Define keying, blind-mate tolerance, insertion force and serviceability requirements with mechanical engineering and field service.
• Investigate field connector failures such as intermittent contact, corrosion, whisker growth and mis-mating and drive design or process fixes.

Function

Work that keeps the discipline running: methods, tools, suppliers and people.

• Audit supplier manufacturing processes for crimping, soldering and over-moulding against IPC/WHMA-A-620 acceptance classes.

Project

1. Produce and hand over the role's key deliverables
   • Connector and cable selection specification with qualified part list
   • Cable assembly drawings and wiring schedules
   • Interconnect electrical characterisation and S-parameter reports
   • IEC 60512 mechanical and environmental qualification reports
   • Supplier process audit and IPC/WHMA-A-620 compliance records
2. Design the blockGeneral
   • Write or capture the design to the specification
   • Run lint, simulation or circuit checks
   • Close design reviews and their actions
3. Support integration and sign-offGeneral
   • Fix bugs found by verification
   • Support timing and physical closure
   • Deliver handoff files and documentation

Function

1. Keep design methods currentGeneral
   • Maintain coding and design standards
   • Build and maintain reusable blocks
2. Develop peopleGeneral
   • Mentor newer engineers
   • Run design reviews and knowledge sharing sessions