Principal System Engineer

As a Principal System Engineer at Flex, you will be responsible for leading complex engineering projects, collaborating with teams to create and manage system requirements, and developing innovative architectures for various medical technologies. You'll also conduct product risk management activities and define integration strategies to ensure our designs meet client requirements effectively.

To apply for the Principal System Engineer role at Flex, candidates should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering and at least 10 years of product development experience, including experience with medical devices. A strong background in systems engineering, risk management, and integration strategies is essential for success in this position.

In the Principal System Engineer role at Flex, you will work on a diverse range of projects, including connected health wearables and new robotic systems. You'll collaborate with early-stage startups as well as established Fortune 100 medical device companies, ensuring you get to tackle complex, innovative challenges daily.

Flex is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that supports career growth. As a Principal System Engineer, you'll have access to a variety of learning opportunities, mentorship programs, and professional development resources to help you expand your skills and advance in your career.

At Flex, you'll work in a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere where innovation thrives. We promote a respectful and inclusive culture, encouraging communication and feedback among team members, making it a great place for Principal System Engineers to share ideas and drive impactful solutions.

When managing system requirements, I use a structured approach that involves collaboration with various stakeholders to gather input. I prioritize requirements based on client needs and regulatory standards, ensuring that all aspects of the system are documented and traceable throughout the product development lifecycle.

I evaluate risks by conducting thorough risk assessments that include identifying potential hazards, analyzing their impact, and developing mitigation strategies. I often use tools like FMEA and risk management plans to ensure all risks are effectively managed throughout the engineering process.

Effective team collaboration involves clear communication, establishing common goals, and leveraging the strengths of each team member. I set regular check-ins to ensure alignment and encourage a culture of sharing ideas and feedback openly, which is crucial in a fast-paced environment.

In complex projects, I begin by defining integration points clearly and ensuring all subsystems align with overall system architecture. I collaborate with cross-functional teams to address integration challenges early on and develop comprehensive integration plans that include testing procedures to validate the final solution.

In a previous role, I led a project focused on developing an electromechanical device. I coordinated with several engineering teams and established a clear roadmap that prioritized critical deliverables. By maintaining open lines of communication and adapting our strategies as needed, we successfully completed the project ahead of schedule, meeting all client specifications.

I have experience with various requirements management tools such as DOORS, Polarion, and Jira. Depending on the project, I choose the tool that best fits the team's workflow and ensures that all stakeholders can easily access and track requirements throughout the development process.

To ensure compliance with medical device standards, I stay updated on regulations such as ISO 13485 and IEC 62304. I implement quality assurance processes early in the development stages, conduct regular audits, and encourage collaborative reviews with the quality assurance team to identify any compliance gaps.

Handling conflicting priorities requires effective communication and strategic planning. I assess each task's urgency and importance, consult with stakeholders to determine the best path forward, and adjust project timelines accordingly to meet the essential deliverable without compromising quality.

One of the biggest challenges in systems engineering is managing complexity and ensuring that all system components work harmoniously. I tackle this challenge by leveraging modeling and simulation tools to visualize system interactions and by promoting active collaboration among multidisciplinary teams to align everyone’s efforts.

I once made a design decision during a project that involved modifying a subsystem to enhance performance and reliability. This change led to a significant reduction in production costs and improved product efficiency, demonstrating the positive impact that strategic design decisions can have on overall project success.