Sr. Manager, Product Development Engineer

Job OverviewSr. Manager, Product Development Engineer – Passive Optical Engineering, Digital Data Networks (DDN) Unit | TE Connectivity

The Opportunity Join TE Connectivity's cutting-edge Passive Optics organization as a Product Development Engineering Manager and help pioneer the next generation of optical interconnect solutions powering AI and hyperscale computing. You'll tackle complex engineering challenges in fiber optics, working with advanced materials and precision manufacturing to create products that enable the world's most demanding data center applications.

Why This Role Matters

As AI workloads demand unprecedented bandwidth and reliability, optical interconnect engineering has become mission-critical. You'll be at the forefront of solving complex technical challenges that directly enable the AI revolution while advancing TE's leadership in high-performance optical connectivity.

Please note: operations are currently based at a temporary site in Webster, NY. The team will transition to a permanent Rochester location (near RIC) upon completion.

Job RequirementsAdvanced Optical Design & Development

• Optical System Design: Develop innovative FAU (Fiber Attachment Unit) fiber optic connectors for attachment to the PIC (Photonic Integrated Circuit), cable assemblies, and optical components using advanced modeling and simulation tools
• Precision Engineering: Design sub-micron tolerance systems ensuring optimal optical performance across temperature ranges and environmental conditions
• Performance Optimization: Engineer solutions for critical optical parameters including insertion loss, return loss, backscatter and optical power management

Materials & Thermal Engineering

• Thermal Stability: Analyze and optimize material properties for thermal cycling, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matching, and long-term stability
• Materials Selection: Evaluate and specify advanced polymers, ceramics, and metallic materials for optical applications
• Environmental Testing: Design and execute comprehensive test protocols for temperature, humidity, vibration, and mechanical stress validation

Advanced Optical Concepts

• Optical Coupling: Design and optimize grating couplers, edge couplers, and fiber-to-chip interfaces for maximum efficiency
• Polarization Management: Develop solutions for polarization-dependent loss (PDL), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), and state of polarization control
• Beam Management: Engineer systems for optimal beam pointing stability, diffraction control, and optical path management
• Optical Modeling: Utilize ray tracing, wave optics simulation, and finite element analysis for design optimization

Product Development & Validation

• Prototyping: Lead rapid prototyping efforts from concept through production-ready designs
• Testing & Characterization: Develop comprehensive test methodologies for optical performance, reliability, and manufacturing quality
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with manufacturing, quality, and product management teams to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM)

What your background should look like

• Education: BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
• Experience:13+ years in optical product development, fiber optics, or photonics engineering
• Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience with optical design tools (Zemax, Code V, BeamPROP, or similar) and physics of optical coupling structures
• Materials Knowledge: Understanding of optical materials, thermal properties, and mechanical behavior of polymers, glasses and ceramics

Core Technical Competencies

• Optical Theory: Deep understanding of geometric and wave optics, polarization, diffraction, and scattering phenomena
• Precision Manufacturing: Experience with sub-micron tolerancing, precision molding, and optical assembly processes, thin film optical coating technologies
• Measurement Systems: Proficiency with optical test equipment (OSAs, OTDRs, interferometers, polarimeters)
• Modeling & Simulation: Experience with finite element analysis (ANSYS, COMSOL) and optical simulation software

Specialized Knowledge Areas

• Fiber Optics: Single-mode (SM), multi-mode (MM) and polarization maintaining (PM) fiber properties, splice loss mechanisms, and connector design principles
• Thermal Analysis: Thermal modeling, CTE matching, and temperature-dependent optical performance
• Manufacturing Processes: Injection molding, precision machining, optical polishing, and assembly automation
• Reliability Engineering: Accelerated testing, failure analysis, and statistical quality control methods

Professional Skills

• Team Leadership & Development: Proven ability to build and lead high-performing engineering teams with demonstrated experience in performance management, talent development, technical decision-making and successful career progression planning for technical staff• Problem Solving: Creative approach to complex technical challenges with systematic troubleshooting methodology
• Communication: Ability to present technical concepts to cross-functional teams and document detailed engineering specifications
• Project Management: Experience managing multiple development projects with competing priorities and tight timelines
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying current with emerging optical technologies and industry trends

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree: MS/PhD in Optics, Photonics, or Materials Science
• Industry Experience: Background in telecommunications, data center, or high-speed interconnect markets
• Standards Knowledge: Familiarity with IEC, TIA/EIA, and IEEE optical connector standards
• Programming Skills: MATLAB, Python, or other technical computing languages
• Patent Experience: Track record of intellectual property development and technical innovation

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Competencies

SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)