Staff Hardware Development Engineer

The Staff Hardware Development Engineer will play a crucial role in our NI ON department. They will own the mechanical design process, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge optical transceiver products. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation pluggable form factors and drive the future of optical networking. NILightpath Own mechanical design and packaging for OSFP, OSFP-XD, QSFP-DD, and other pluggable form factors. Design high-density, thermally optimized solutions for 100G, 400G, 800G, and 1.6T transceiver modules. Work closely with Optics, Electronics, Thermal, and other teams from concept to production. Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and cost optimization initiatives. Ensure compliance with MSA standards, customer requirements, and manufacturing processes. Lead the mechanical architecture decisions for next-generation pluggable products. Support product qualification and validation activities, including FAI, DVT, and PVT. Perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions for manufacturing issues. Collaborate with global suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure smooth operations. B.E./B.Tech/M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. 8+ years of mechanical product design experience, with a minimum of 3 years in optical modules or compact electronic systems. Expertise in Creo Parametric or equivalent 3D CAD tools for part and assembly modeling. Strong understanding of mechanical packaging, tolerance engineering, and GD&T. Hands-on experience with precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, and other manufacturing processes. Ability to perform engineering calculations for latch forces, insertion/extraction forces, and more. Understanding of material properties and selection for various components. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills for cross-functional collaboration. Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment is preferred. A proven track record of delivering optical transceiver products from concept to production is an asset.