Fiber Optic Specialist

Belcan; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family Benefits

Savings & Spending Accounts

Income Protection

Retirement & Financial Wellbeing

Legal & Protection

Additional Health Resources

Job summary

Belcan in Somerville, MA, seeks an experienced Fiber Optic Specialist to support R&D and manufacturing for the SPARC fusion machine, handling, routing, splicing, testing, and integration of thousands of optical fibers.

The role requires hands-on fiber installation, specialty splicing, optical testing with OTDR/OSA/OBR, and collaboration with engineering to develop and improve complex fiber optic systems, plus training technicians and improving safety procedures.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in fiber optics field applications.
• Hands-on experience with fiber handling, installation, splicing, testing, and repair.
• Experience performing attenuation, insertion loss, and spectral analysis measurements.
• Experience using optical testing equipment including OTDR, OSA, OBR, power meters, or similar tools.
• Experience working with fiber optic systems in a laboratory or controlled environment.
• Strong understanding of fiber optic handling standards and best practices.
• Strong attention to detail when working with sensitive optical components.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and communicate findings effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively with engineering and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Handle, route, splice, test, and repair thousands of optical fibers throughout the SPARC fusion machine.
• Perform fiber optic installation, integration, and validation activities in laboratory, manufacturing, and R&D environments.
• Conduct optical measurements including attenuation, insertion loss, and spectral analysis using equipment such as OTDR, OSA, OBR, optical power meters, interrogators, optical multiplexers, optical switches, and fault locators.
• Perform fiber coating removal, recoating, proof-testing, and specialty fiber splicing.
• Support the assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of fiber optic cable assemblies.
• Perform mechanical integration of fiber-related components, including passthrough flanges and fiber enclosures.
• Install composite and polymer wrapping materials for fiber protection and enclosure systems.
• Support fiber optic applications in cryogenic and vacuum environments.
• Train other technicians on proper fiber installation, routing, splicing, and measurement procedures.
• Improve and maintain safe handling procedures for laser and fiber optic systems.
• Document testing results, measurements, and technical findings.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot and resolve fiber optic system challenges.
• Support manufacturing and R&D fiber requirements.
• Perform additional technical duties as assigned.

Skills

Fiber optic handling

Splicing and testing

Attenuation measurements

OTDR/OSA testing

Laboratory environment

Troubleshooting

Collaboration

Tools

OTDR

OSA

OBR

Power meters

Job description

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Fiber Optic Specialist to support advanced research and development activities for the SPARC fusion machine. This role will be responsible for the handling, routing, splicing, testing, and integration of thousands of optical fibers throughout the fusion system.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with fiber optic installation, specialty fiber splicing, optical testing equipment, and fiber assembly techniques. This position will support manufacturing and R&D initiatives while collaborating with engineering teams to develop, test, and improve complex fiber optic systems.

The Fiber Optic Specialist will also assist with mechanical integration, safety improvements, and technician training related to fiber optic installation, measurement, and handling procedures.

Job Responsibilities:

• Handle, route, splice, test, and repair thousands of optical fibers throughout the SPARC fusion machine.
• Perform fiber optic installation, integration, and validation activities in laboratory, manufacturing, and R&D environments.
• Conduct optical measurements including attenuation, insertion loss, and spectral analysis using equipment such as OTDR, OSA, OBR, optical power meters, interrogators, optical multiplexers, optical switches, and fault locators.
• Perform fiber coating removal, recoating, proof-testing, and specialty fiber splicing.
• Support the assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of fiber optic cable assemblies.
• Perform mechanical integration of fiber-related components, including passthrough flanges and fiber enclosures.
• Install composite and polymer wrapping materials for fiber protection and enclosure systems.
• Support fiber optic applications in cryogenic and vacuum environments.
• Train other technicians on proper fiber installation, routing, splicing, and measurement procedures.
• Improve and maintain safe handling procedures for laser and fiber optic systems.
• Document testing results, measurements, and technical findings.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot and resolve fiber optic system challenges.
• Support manufacturing and R&D fiber requirements.
• Perform additional technical duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in fiber optics field applications.
• Hands-on experience with fiber handling, installation, splicing, testing, and repair.
• Experience performing attenuation, insertion loss, and spectral analysis measurements.
• Experience using optical testing equipment including OTDR, OSA, OBR, power meters, or similar tools.
• Experience working with fiber optic systems in a laboratory or controlled environment.
• Strong understanding of fiber optic handling standards and best practices.
• Strong attention to detail when working with sensitive optical components.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and communicate findings effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively with engineering and technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in fiber optics field applications.
• Experience with distributed sensing arrays.
• Experience working with polyimide and specialty coated fibers.
• Experience training technicians on fiber splicing techniques and cable assembly processes.
• Experience designing, building, and testing fiber cable assemblies.
• Experience working with fiber systems in cryogenic and vacuum environments.
• Experience performing fiber optic work in confined spaces or challenging physical environments.
• Knowledge of optical sensing techniques, attenuation/insertion loss mechanisms, and basic materials science.

Benefits Available:

• Family Benefits
• Savings & Spending Accounts
• Income Protection
• Retirement & Financial Wellbeing
• Legal & Protection
• Additional Health Resources

Belcan is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.