Product Development Engineer
About the job
- A B.S. or M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
- At least 5 years of experience in PCB/FPC research and development, including at least 3 years focused specifically on multilayer FPC and rigid-flex technologies.
- Expert command of 2D/3D design tools such as AutoCAD and ProE/NX, and professional EDA/layout software such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or layout viewers.
- Deep understanding of the full FPC manufacturing process, including lamination, drilling, plating, and surface finishes, and IPC standards IPC-6013/610 and IPC-2223.
- Develop and design products serving clients in the medical and/or automotive industries.
- Own the NPI product lifecycle from RFQ through mass-production launch, ensuring technical excellence and compliance with industry standards.
- Complete product development planning, preliminary and final design completion, production process development, product and process qualification, and issue tracking during the NPI stage.
- Estimate and analyze costs from customer-provided Gerber files or bills of materials, including raw materials, processing steps, and surface treatments.
- Evaluate circuit-board stack-up design, penalization, and tolerance specifications and provide cost-reduction design suggestions.
- Develop standard pricing models for different batch sizes, lead times, and customer requirements, and coordinate optimal pricing with sales and supply chain departments.
- Conduct Design for Manufacturing reviews to support high yields for fine-line/fine-space designs and complex rigid-to-flex bonding processes.
- Simulate and validate impedance control in high-speed FPC structures.
- Manage product development from initial concept and DFMEA through PPAP and mass-production launch.
- Lead technical troubleshooting for complex failures such as delamination, micro-via cracking, and signal loss using 8D, Fishbone, or similar methodologies.
- Lead development and design of multilayer FPC (4–10+ layers) and rigid-flex circuits, with a focus on stack-up and panel optimization and process-flow definition.
- Experience with fine-line blind/buried vias, high-density interconnect, roll-to-roll processes, and advanced materials such as LCP, MPI, Teflon, FR5, or specialized medical-grade adhesives.
- Ability to perform complex mechanical stress analysis for dynamic-bend or ultra-thin fold-to-fit applications.
- Experience working directly with Tier 1 automotive or global medical-device OEM customers to define product technical boundaries.
- A track record of technical patents or successful implementation of value analysis/value engineering in complex circuit designs.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English sufficient for technical presentations and direct communication with international medical/automotive clients and U.S. colleagues.
About the company
Koch Industries is a large, private, diversified conglomerate that operates in energy, chemical processing, and manufacturing. It started from an innovation that turned heavy crude oil into gasoline and grew through long‑term investments rather than short‑term market moves. The company generates value by refining fuels and producing chemical products, and it operates Georgia-Pacific, a major maker of paper and building products. Its business model relies on reinvesting most earnings back into the company to fund steady, long‑term growth rather than paying out frequent dividends or seeking quick profits. Koch differentiates itself from many competitors by staying privately owned, which reduces pressure from public markets and enables longer‑range planning. The company’s goal is to build scale and durability across its holdings by sustainable, multi‑decade growth rather than rapid, episodic gains.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$985.2M
Headquarters
Wichita, Kansas
Founded
1940
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Koch raised $224.4 million in equity financing on March 10, 2026, preserving dry powder.
- Koch's Africa fertilizer foothold expands global phosphate reach from Morocco's Jorf complex.
- Closed Tacoma gypsum plant concentrates capital into stronger Georgia-Pacific assets and higher-margin lines.
What critics are saying
- DOJ opened a fertilizer antitrust probe in March 2026, risking criminal charges and damages.
- Farmers filed class actions in March and June 2026 against Koch Agronomic Services.
- Georgia-Pacific will close Tacoma's gypsum plant on October 30, 2026, cutting 125 jobs.
What makes Koch Industries unique
- Private since 1940, Koch reinvests earnings for decades, not quarterly Wall Street optics.
- Koch Fertilizer expanded into Morocco on June 30, 2026 through Jorf Fertilizers ownership.
- Georgia-Pacific and Koch Agronomic Services give Koch integrated positions across packaging and fertilizers.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- Paid Vacation
- Professional Development Budget
- Fertility Treatment Support
- Parental Leave
- Adoption Assistance
- Hybrid Work Options