Principal I, Modeling & Simulation Engineering

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?
Principal I, Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineer will support the development, validation, and application of computational models and simulation methodologies for electronic and electromechanical systems used in medical devices. This role will focus on Signal Integrity (SI), Power Integrity (PI), electromagnetic analysis, and system-level Modeling to evaluate and optimize product performance, reliability, and robustness throughout the product development lifecycle. The engineer will work closely with electrical, mechanical, firmware, and systems engineering teams to leverage simulation-driven design approaches, reduce physical prototyping, accelerate development timelines, and support design verification and regulatory submissions.

This role is on-site in our Lake Forest, CA location and a typical day would include:

• Perform Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) analysis for high-speed digital interfaces, including DDR4, DDR5, MIPI, USB, and other high-speed communication protocols.

• Develop simulation models to evaluate channel performance, impedance discontinuities, crosstalk, timing margins, power delivery networks, and electromagnetic compatibility.

• Support simulation sign-off activities and provide design recommendations to improve electrical performance and robustness.

• Conduct pre-layout and post-layout analyses for PCB and package designs.

• Develop and validate electrical simulation models that predict system performance under varying operating conditions.

• Apply electromagnetic, circuit, and system-level simulation techniques to support product design optimization and risk reduction.

• Contribute to virtual prototyping initiatives to reduce design iterations and accelerate product development.

• Perform trade studies and sensitivity analyses to support engineering decision- making.

• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, systems, reliability, and manufacturing engineering teams to identify and resolve performance issues.

• Present simulation findings and design recommendations to technical stakeholders.

• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of simulation methodologies, assumptions, validation activities, and results.

• Follow applicable quality system requirements, SOPs, and GxP regulations.

• Support regulatory submissions and product verification activities through simulation-based analyses when appropriate.

• Support design reviews and verification activities with simulation-based evidence.

What You’ll Bring to Alcon:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs).

• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English

• 5 Years of Relevant Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Signal Integrity and Power Integrity analysis of high-speed digital systems.

• Working knowledge of transmission line theory, electromagnetic fields, PCB design, and power distribution networks.

• Experience with one or more simulation tools: Ansys HFSS, Ansys SIwave Altium, Cadence, CST Studio Suite.

• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools.

• Programming or scripting experience using Python, MATLAB, Tcl, or similar languages for automation and data analysis.

• Familiarity with design verification methodologies and hardware debugging.

• Knowledge of EMI/EMC fundamentals is desirable.

• Experience in medical devices, consumer electronics, or embedded systems is a plus

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

• See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities

• Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!

• Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.

• Travel  - up to 10%

• Sponsorship  - Yes

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Compensation and Benefits

Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long‑term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short‑term and long‑term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well‑being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.

The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.

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Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.