Lead Mechanical Engineer – Precision RF Interconnects

OverviewPalitronica is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of precision mechanical interfaces used in Anvil’s RF measurement systems.
This role focuses on high-density RF interconnects, contact systems, precision test interfaces, and the mechanical factors that affect measurement repeatability and reliability. The successful candidate will combine strong mechanical design skills with practical experience in contact mechanics, materials, surface finishes, wear, alignment, and high-cycle mating systems.
This is a senior technical leadership role based onsite in Waterloo, Ontario.
Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of high-density RF interfaces, contact systems, adapters, fixtures, and engagement mechanisms.
• Translate RF requirements into mechanical specifications for alignment, contact force, compliance, tolerances, and repeatability.
• Design interfaces that provide reliable electrical and RF contact while minimizing wear or damage to the device under test.
• Evaluate and select RF connectors, spring contacts, pogo-pin systems, compliant mechanisms, blind-mate interfaces, and custom contact solutions.
• Analyze contact wear, fatigue, deformation, insertion force, mating cycles, and reliability.
• Specify materials, plating, coatings, surface finishes, hardness, and cleanliness requirements for contact and interface components.
• Assess trade-offs among RF performance, contact density, mechanical force, durability, serviceability, manufacturability, and cost.
• Design and execute validation testing for contact repeatability, wear, vibration, thermal performance, impact, and mechanical durability.
• Perform tolerance analysis, GD&T, stress analysis, fatigue analysis, and simulations as required.
• Produce complete manufacturing packages, including CAD models, drawings, BOMs, specifications, and inspection criteria.
• Work directly with local and international suppliers on prototyping, manufacturing, first-article inspection, and acceptance testing.
• Mentor other mechanical engineers and work closely with RF, electrical, hardware, manufacturing, and data science teams.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in precision mechanical, electromechanical, connector, contact, test-interface, or measurement-system design.
• Experience designing RF connectors, high-density interconnects, semiconductor test interfaces, test sockets, probe systems, or similar precision contact systems.
• Strong understanding of contact mechanics, wear, friction, fretting, fatigue, deformation, and mating-cycle reliability.
• Experience selecting materials, plating, coatings, and surface finishes for electrical or RF contact applications.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, precision fits, and dimensional inspection.
• Advanced CAD skills, including complex parts, assemblies, and production drawings.
• Experience taking precision products from concept through prototyping, validation, supplier transfer, and production.
• Ability to work effectively with RF and electrical engineers and understand how mechanical design affects signal integrity and measurement repeatability.
• Strong technical leadership, problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience with RF and microwave interconnect systems.
• Experience with semiconductor probe cards, test sockets, spring probes, pogo pins, or automated test equipment.
• Background in tribology, connector reliability, plating development, or surface engineering.
• Experience with blind-mate interfaces, compliant mechanisms, mechanical float, or self-aligning systems.
• Experience with FEA, vibration testing, accelerated lifecycle testing, or Measurement System Analysis.