Components Engineer - Fiber Optics & Optical Systems

Apex Systems; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K with company match

ESPP

Job summary

Everforth Apex Systems in Linthicum, MD seeks a Component Engineer specializing in fiber optics and optical systems to manage component selection, qualification, and lifecycle across defense projects.

The role requires deep technical expertise, proven cross-functional leadership, and experience with engineering change processes and supplier engagement to ensure long-term reliability of hardware solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or another STEM-related discipline with 12+ years of experience.
• Master's degree with 10+ years of experience.
• PhD with 8+ years of experience.
• An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience with fiber optic, opto-electronic, and/or optical components and systems.
• Experience leading technical reviews, presentations, and small engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage the selection, qualification, and lifecycle support of fiber optic, opto-electronic, and optical components.
• Prepare and review technical data packages for Design Team and CCB reviews.
• Generate and review screening and qualification test plans for component approval activities.
• Analyze and identify alternate components to address obsolescence and long lead times.
• Support DMSMS and end-of-life management activities.
• Maintain ownership of component requirements and approved component selections across programs.
• Lead new component requests, approvals, and component drawing development activities.
• Support failure investigations and Destructive Physical Analysis reviews.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Siemens Teamcenter

Job description

Job Description

Candidates must be U.S. citizens able to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Defense security clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.

Component Engineer (Fiber Optics & Optical Systems)

Job #

3047649

Location

Linthicum, MD

Security Clearance

Active Secret Clearance Required

Schedule

Full-Time | Onsite

Overview

Our client is seeking a Component Engineer to support the management, qualification, selection, and lifecycle planning of fiber optic, opto-electronic, and optical components used in advanced engineering programs. This role offers an opportunity to work closely with design engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and external suppliers to ensure the long-term success and reliability of critical hardware solutions.

The ideal candidate will have deep technical knowledge of optical and fiber optic components, strong cross-functional leadership skills, and experience supporting component lifecycle management, obsolescence planning, supplier engagement, and engineering change processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the selection, qualification, and lifecycle support of fiber optic, opto-electronic, and optical components.
• Prepare and review technical data packages for Design Team and Configuration Control Board (CCB) reviews.
• Generate and review screening and qualification test plans for component approval activities.
• Analyze and identify alternate components to address obsolescence, long lead times, and component standardization initiatives.
• Support DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages) and end-of-life (EOL) management activities.
• Maintain ownership of component requirements and approved component selections across supported programs.
• Lead new component requests, approvals, and component drawing development activities.
• Support failure investigations, Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA) reviews, and problem resolution efforts.
• Ensure component authenticity, traceability, environmental suitability, and program compliance requirements.
• Chair commodity review teams responsible for evaluating component usage across commercial, industrial, military, and space-grade applications.
• Manage multiple priorities and coordinate cross-functional activities to meet program schedules and objectives.
• Develop and maintain component technology roadmaps and long-term component strategies.
• Influence system architecture and performance decisions through technical trade studies and engineering recommendations.
• Support major engineering milestones, including design reviews and technical assessments.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and engineering teams to identify and implement optimal technical solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or another STEM-related discipline with 12+ years of experience, OR
• Master's degree with 10+ years of experience, OR
• PhD with 8+ years of experience.
• An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience working with fiber optic, opto-electronic, and/or optical components and systems.
• Experience leading technical reviews, presentations, and small engineering teams.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional organizations, including:
• Design Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Production Engineering
• Quality Engineering
• Supply Chain
• Procurement
• Strong technical understanding of component lifecycle management and engineering change processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience supporting fiber optic, opto-electronic, and optical components and systems.
• Strong understanding of:
• Geometric optics
• Physical optics
• Fiber optic fundamentals
• Experience establishing component qualification standards, acceptance criteria, validation methodologies, and best practices.
• Hands-on experience with optical metrology, testing, inspection, and measurement equipment.
• Experience developing engineering processes, standards, and technology roadmaps.
• Experience evaluating suppliers and participating in technical negotiations.
• Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) tools such as Siemens Teamcenter or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements, including:
• Specialty Metals
• Counterfeit Part Prevention
• Conflict Minerals
• Knowledge of industry standards including:
• ISO
• IEC
• Telcordia
• IPC
• VITA
• JEDEC
• MIL-STD
• NASA standards
• Strong understanding of system-level optical performance, tolerance analysis, and integration tradeoffs.
• Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview

• Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection.
• We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure.
• Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts.
• In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA.
• Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach.
• You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.

UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine‑Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.

Everforth Apex is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. (Do not submit resumes or solicit consultants to this email address). UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine‑Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex.

Company Contact Information

© 2026 Everforth, Inc. All rights reserved.

Everforth Apex Systems is part of the Commercial Segment of Everforth, Inc.

NYSE: EFOR

4400 Cox Road

Suite 200

Glen Allen, Virginia 23060