Components Engineer - Fiber Optics & Optical Systems

Apex Systems; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K plan with company match

ESPP

Job summary

Everforth Apex Systems is seeking a Component Engineer (Fiber Optics & Optical Systems) in Linthicum, MD to lead lifecycle management and qualification of optical components for DoD programs. You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to ensure long-term reliability and supplier engagement.

The ideal candidate has deep optical component knowledge, proven leadership, and experience with engineering change processes and obsolescence mitigation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 12+ years of experience; or Master's with 10+ years; or PhD with 8+ years.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience with fiber optic, opto-electronic, or optical components and systems.
• Experience leading technical reviews, presentations, and small engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage selection, qualification, and lifecycle support of fiber optic and optical components.
• Prepare and review technical data packages for design reviews and CC B reviews.
• Develop screening and qualification test plans for component approvals.
• Identify alternate components to address obsolescence and long lead times.
• Support DMSMS and end-of-life management activities.
• Lead component drawing development and new component requests.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and engineering teams to implement optimal solutions.

Skills

Fiber optic components

Lifecycle management

Engineering change processes

Cross-functional leadership

DMSMS/EOL management

Technical reviews

Supplier engagement

Traceability

Environmental compliance

Program collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physics/Materials Science/Electrical Engineering

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Siemens Teamcenter

Job description

Job#: 3047649

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)

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 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 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.

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