Director of Engineering - MMIC

Mini-Circuits designs, manufactures and distributes integrated circuits, modules, and sub-systems for high-performance radio frequency (RF) and microwave applications. With design, sales and manufacturing locations in over 30 countries, Mini-Circuits’ products are used in a range of wired and wireless communications applications. Our products are also used in detection, measurement and imaging applications, including military communication, guidance and electronic countermeasure systems, commercial, scientific, military land, sea and aircraft; automotive systems, medical systems, and industrial test equipment.

Position Summary:

The Director of Engineering – MMIC is responsible for leading all aspects of the Carlsbad MMIC Design Center’s development activities. The Director will focus on the structuring and executing the MMIC product development engineering function as a cohesive unit, the conceptualizing and day-to-day management of simultaneous projects, delivering manufacturable designs to agreed specifications within time and budget constraints, and the fostering of innovative solutions to customer needs. This position is also responsible for assisting the MMIC Business Unit Leader in crafting the strategy for the MMIC business, including the technical direction for the company and the investment strategy needed for reaching the MMIC Business Unit objectives.

This position has reporting responsibility to the MMIC Business Unit Leader and is an integral part of our management team.

Salary Range: $184,000 - $276,000 per year

Job Function:

• Direct the design and develop RF & Microwave circuits, components and sub-assemblies, focused on power amplifier MMICs, high frequency MMICs, and innovative packaging techniques for high-performance and multi-function devices. Modify existing designs to improve performance, quality, manufacturability, production yields, etc.
• Accountable for implementing a device perturbation and sensitivity analysis process to insure highest possible production yields, meeting deadlines and resolving performance issues along the way.
• Develop design plans and determine design specifications based on customer objectives and requirements.
• Develop performance criteria, including parasitic effects and process variations that affect the high frequency behavior of active components.
• Develop and assist in documenting robust product development techniques and processes for MMIC design.
• Direct and manage the performance of the groups circuit & component analysis and simulation effort using industry ADS, HFSS and other CAD tools.
• Research & utilize latest techniques & approaches, analyze user input, and identify and establish performance standards. Develop processes and procedures to verify and validate designs through simulations, tests and reliability studies.
• Serve as technical support to Production & Marketing departments on new and existing designs.
• Prepare application notes, technical articles & catalog specs for publication.
• Interface with Operations, Quality Assurance, Reliability and Strategic Sourcing groups to guide device and material qualification efforts and manufacturability reviews. Responsible for ensuring products not only meet performance requirements, but are reliable and manufacturable as well.
• Evaluate components, materials & suppliers.
• Lead and actively participate in design review meetings.
• Prioritize major initiatives within the MMIC Group.
• Provide technical support directly to customers.
• Promote the Patent/IP Program.
• Solve technical, operational and group issues.
• Provide engineering execution excellence of design and development projects.
• Ensure deadlines are met and team members are held accountable.
• Provide guidance and execution on product roadmap.
• Work with the MMIC BU Leader to define yearly budget for CapEx, personnel and development expenses for the Carlsbad MMIC Design Center; track and execute to the defined budget.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manage the Carlsbad MMIC Group to support multiple projects simultaneously with competing priorities.
• Supervise, train, direct and mentor Design Engineers, Product Engineers and Test Engineers.
• Define objectives and track results for team members.
• Organize and lead the work of the Group by delegating assignments, provide guidance to achieve projects objectives in accordance with established timelines and policies.
• Determine development tools and systems to organize, track and monitor and report on projects.
• Responsible for determining the skills, workload expectations, performance rewards for all new and current group members.
• Keep projects focused and manageable.
• Prepare and present project status to Senior Management including project deliverables such as performance, scheduling, budgeting and costs.
• Manage rigorous documentation during the design effort, including design documentation, qualification test and validation reports, supporting analysis in accordance with the company’s quality standards.
• Provide technical vision and direction to ensure the development team is aligned with the strategy of the MMIC Business Unit and company.

The duties, responsibilities and expectations described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the member, within the scope of the position.

Qualifications:

• BSEE with minimum of 10 years’ related design and management experience OR;
• MSEE with minimum of 8 years’ related design and management experience – preferred.
• Must have experience managing a multi-functional engineering development group and have demonstrated ability to manage a team of engineers to create & support the activities during the life cycle of products, from conception through production within stated time frames.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in microwave circuit design.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience utilizing MMIC devices and knowledge of typical MMIC amplifier architectures.
• MMIC design experience is preferred but not mandatory if a deep understanding of semiconductor devices is demonstrated.
• Familiarity with circuit simulation and both 2.5D and 3D EM simulation techniques.
• Professional and positive approach, self-motivated, strong in building relationships, team player, dynamic, creative with the ability to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.
• Past experience working for an ISO company that practices LEAN manufacturing.
• Must be a US Citizen or US Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) due to ITAR compliance.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to operate a computer keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Requirements/Skills:

• “Out of the box” thinking is key; contributes to the products roadmap and is willing to take innovative product risk while balancing the roadmap for on-time deliverables.
• Strong relationship management, strategy development, project management, problem solving and change management skills.
• Must have the ability to build relationships and work successfully with members outside of those within their direct reporting structure.
• Manage diverse, simultaneous projects of varying complexities.
• Comply, understand, and support corporate safety initiatives to ensure a safe work environment.
• Ability and willingness to abide by Company’s Code of Conduct.
• Occasional travel, some overnight, as required (up to 30%).

Disclaimer: The listed qualifications and requirements for each position are intended as guidelines. Mini-Circuits reserves the right to hire outside of these guidelines at Management’s discretion.

Mini-Circuits is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, familial status, gender identity, gender dysphoria, pregnancy-related condition, and domestic violence victim status or protected class characteristic, or any other protected characteristic as established by federal or state law.