Junior R&D Engineer

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Job Title:   Junior R&D Engineer – Telecom New Product Development, located in Apex, NC

About the Role

The R&D Engineer for Telecom Outside Plant (OSP) New Product Development plays a critical technical role in transforming conceptual ideas into robust, next-generation telecom products. This position collaborates closely with laboratory engineering and cross-functional teams to ensure that Telcordia Generic Requirements (GR) specifications, along with internal standards, are effectively integrated into high-quality product designs.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, classically trained mechanical engineer with strong 3D modeling experience using Creo. Expertise in molded plastic part design is essential. This individual excels at translating complex requirements into actionable engineering plans and is driven by innovation, technical rigor, and a commitment to engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

New Product Development

• Lead technical development activities for new OSP products from concept through commercialization.
• Translate GR requirements, customer specifications, and risk assessments into design inputs and validation strategies.
• Develop engineering models, test plans, and experimental designs to prove compliance and product robustness.
• Collaborate with systems, mechanical, and materials engineering teams to define architecture choices and design trade‑offs.
• Champion design for reliability, manufacturability, and cost throughout the development lifecycle.

GR Evaluation Planning & Execution

• Interpret Telcordia GR specifications (e.g., GR‑771, GR‑487, GR‑3108) and create detailed evaluation plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria.
• Partner with laboratory engineering to establish test sequences, instrumentation needs, fixtures, and appropriate environmental conditions.
• Oversee execution of complex or high‑risk evaluations, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and configuration control.
• Analyze results, identify root causes for failures, and lead cross‑functional corrective action activities.
• Present findings and design recommendations to senior engineering and program stakeholders.

Technical Problem Solving & Innovation

• Develop innovative solutions that lead to intellectual property to protect value creation of new products
• Lead structured root cause analysis (5 Why,  DOE) for development challenges or test failures.
• Drive innovative material, design, or process solutions to meet stringent OSP reliability requirements.
• Benchmark new technologies, evaluation methods, and industry best practices to strengthen product performance.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Product Management, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless development flow.
• Lead design reviews, risk assessments (DFMEA, PFMEA), and readiness gates throughout development.
• Provide senior‑level mentorship and technical guidance to engineers, lab personnel, and technicians.

Documentation, Reporting & Compliance

• Generate high‑quality engineering reports, summaries, and technical justifications for internal and external audiences.
• Ensure all technical work meets compliance expectations for GR standards, customer audits, and QMS requirements.
• Maintain complete, auditable documentation of test methods, configurations, and results.

Continuous Improvement & Capability Development

• Identify opportunities to accelerate product development through automation, advanced analysis, or improved evaluation methods.
• Lead Kaizen projects targeting cycle time reduction, increased test throughput, or improved reliability prediction models.
• Introduce data‑driven methodologies and digital tools for test execution, reporting, and traceability.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 0-2 years of engineering experience in R&D or product development
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• Rapidly grasp and utilize new methods and technologies as a junior engineer
• Proficiency with injection molded and sheet metal part design.
• Strong communication, reporting, and documentation skills.
• Solid understanding of laboratory safety and quality systems (ISO 9001 / 17025).
• Trained in 3D modeling using Creo
• Experience with prototype fabrication methodologies. i.e. machining, printing, injection molding…

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in telecom outside plant, harsh‑environment products, or similar industries.
• Proven experience interpreting and applying Telcordia Generic Requirements or equivalent specifications.
• Experience with GR‑771, GR‑487, GR‑3108, GR‑63, or similar environmental/qualification standards.
• Advanced knowledge of product development frameworks (APQP/PPAP).
• Expertise with automation and data acquisition (LabVIEW, Python, PLC/SCADA).
• Lean/Six Sigma, PMP, or Agile certification.
• Experience with reliability engineering tools: HALT/HASS, Weibull analysis, accelerated life testing.

Skills & Competencies:

• Technical Leadership: Guides teams, resolves conflicts, and drives technical clarity.
• Systems Thinking: Understands interactions of materials, mechanics, and environment in OSP products.
• Execution Excellence: Ensures rigor in test setup, documentation, and configuration control.
• Analytical Strength: Skilled in failure analysis, data interpretation, and experimentation.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Clear, concise communication with technical and non‑technical teams.
• Innovation: Identifies emerging technologies and new methods to enhance product performance.
• Safety & Compliance Focus: Proactively mitigates risk and upholds safety standards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• NPI schedule adherence and milestone achievement.
• First‑pass qualification success rate.
• Number and severity of defect escapes or rework cycles.
• Quality of technical reports and findings (clarity, traceability, completeness).
• Contribution to new capabilities, IP, or innovation pipeline.
• Effectiveness of root cause analysis and closure of corrective actions.
• Continuous improvement impact (cycle time reduction, enhanced methods).

Physical & Work Environment Requirements:

• Ability to work in laboratory and engineering environments around equipment, chambers, and instrumentation.
• Occasional lifting of 30–50 lbs during test setup or equipment handling.
• Standing, bending, or working in environmental or ESD‑controlled areas as required.
• Use of PPE (safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection) per procedures.
• Occasional off‑shift support for time‑critical testing or prototype builds.

Why CommScope:

CommScope is on a quest to deliver connectivity that empowers how we live, work, and learn. Our employees push the boundaries of communications technology that enables game-changing discoveries like 5G, the Internet of Things, and gigabit speeds for everyone, everywhere. With our unmatched expertise in copper, fiber, and wireless infrastructure, our global clients rely on us to outperform today and be ready for the needs of tomorrow. 

If you want to grow your career alongside bright, passionate, and caring people who strive to create what's next…..come connect to your future at CommScope.

CommScope is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), including people with disabilities and veterans. If you are seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact us to submit your request at talentacquisition@commscope.com. You can also learn more about CommScope’s accommodation process and EEO policy at https://jobs.commscope.com/eeo 

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