Fiber Optics Design Engineer

Panduit; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Flexible work options

Generous vacation and holidays

401(k) match and profit sharing

Parental leave

Volunteer day

Job summary

Panduit is seeking a Fiber Optics Design Engineer to drive the design and development of fiber optic connectivity solutions for telecom, data center, and HPC applications. You will own the product lifecycle from concept to launch, partnering across teams to advance optical technologies and meet customer needs.

The role requires hands-on fiber optics experience, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and strong documentation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Opto-electronics, or Optical Engineering. Advanced degrees a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced fiber optic connectivity solutions (connectors, cable assemblies, high-density interconnects).
• Lead products through full development lifecycle from concept to manufacturing release.
• Execute validation, qualification, and reliability testing for data center applications.
• Research emerging technologies and apply innovative solutions to drive product advancement.
• Partner with application engineering teams to understand customer environments and deployment challenges.
• Create technical documentation including specs, test plans, validation reports, and notes.

Skills

Fiber optic connectivity

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Opto-electronics/Optical)

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

3D CAD

Job description

At Panduit, we don't just offer a job - we offer a career where your contributions directly impact our customers, the environment and our company's success. You'll have the opportunity to grow, innovate, and be a part of an inclusive team that celebrates both individual and collective achievements. If you're ready to elevate your career and help us deliver exceptional experiences to our customers.

Innovation thrives when engineers are empowered to think differently, experiment boldly, and solve meaningful challenges. That's why we've built an environment designed for creativity and collaboration. Our 200,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center in Tinley Park, Illinois, features 18 cutting-edge laboratories and a state-of-the-art rapid modeling tool room - all dedicated to helping you turn ideas into impactful reality.

The Fiber Optics Design Engineer will drive the design and development of innovative fiber optic connectivity solutions for telecommunications, data center, and high-performance computing applications. This role leads the full product lifecycle, from concept through launch, while partnering across teams to advance cutting-edge optical technologies. Hands-on fiber optics experience is essential for this role.

What You Will Do

• Develop advanced fiber optic connectivity solutions, including connectors, cable assemblies, and high-density interconnect systems.
• Lead products through the full development lifecycle, from concept and prototyping to testing and manufacturing release.
• Execute product validation, qualification, and reliability testing for next-generation datacenter applications.
• Research emerging technologies and apply innovative solutions to drive product advancement.
• Partner with application engineering teams to understand customer environments, deployment challenges, and real-world use cases.
• Create technical documentation, including specifications, test plans, validation reports, and application notes.
• Bring creative, out-of-the-box thinking to product concepts, designs, and problem-solving.

What You Will Bring

• Education: Bachelor's Degree Engineering, Opto-electronics, or Optical Engineering. Advanced degrees a strong plus.
• Experience: 1.5 - 5 years in related role, with application experience in fiber optic connectivity in datacenter preferred. Experience with fiber optic connectors (MPO, LC, etc) cable assemblies, optical testing, optical measurements (insertion loss, return loss, alignment sensitivity, environmental testing), optical packaging, and ferrule alignment.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with optical communication transceivers, high-speed optical links, fundamentals of micro-optics or lens design, and industry standards (IEC, TIA, Telcordia).
• Systems: Experience using MATLAB or Python for engineering analysis. Experience with product design in 3D CAD preferred.
• Skills: Strong communication and teamwork skills.

What We Can Offer You

• Competitive Pay & Benefits: Enjoy a robust Total Rewards Program that includes health, financial benefits, and more.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work options to help you achieve the perfect work-life balance. This role will require you to be in the office 50% of the time (schedule based on manager's discretion).
• Generous Time Off: Take advantage of our generous vacation, sick days, holidays, plus a volunteer day to give back to the community.
• Retirement & Growth: 401(k) match, profit sharing, and abundant growth and development opportunities to help you advance your career.
• Parental Leave: Because we care about your family and your future.

Compensation: The expected annual base salary range for this role is $80,000- $100,000. Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

We're an Equal Opportunity Employer, dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace for all. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Panduit will not sponsor applicants for work visas now or in the future. All roles, including remote positions, require an in-person interview as part of the hiring process.