Lead Engineer, Fiber Optics & Defense Systems

KITCO Fiber Optics; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company 
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Generous PTO and holidays

STD/LTD disability coverage

Life insurance

EAP

Job summary

KITCO Fiber Optics, Inc. is seeking a Lead Engineer to provide hands-on technical leadership for a multidisciplinary team developing ruggedized fiber optic and connectivity products for defense, aerospace, and telecom applications.

The role drives requirements through design, prototyping, verification, release, and post-release support in a field with strict military standards. Occasional travel and a collaborative, hands-on environment are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related Engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in physical product design, development, integration, or production support.
• U.S. citizenship required per contract requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop engineers and technical staff; set priorities, assign work, and identify resource or schedule risks early.
• Serve as senior technical lead/design authority for product development, modification, integration, and first-build/hybrid projects.
• Translate customer, contract, and system requirements into clear design inputs, technical plans, acceptance criteria, and risk-based controls.
• Lead technical/design reviews, engineering trade studies, prototype builds, test planning, verification/validation, and technical release decisions.
• Ensure drawings/models, BOMs, specifications, interfaces, acceptance criteria, and test evidence are complete, manufacturable, traceable, and configuration controlled.
• Drive DFM/DFA, cost/process improvements, alternate-source evaluations, and practical solutions that improve quality, reliability, and delivery performance.
• Lead root-cause investigations and resolve design, supplier, production, quality, and field issues; assess technical impact of post-release changes and required re-verification/re-validation.
• Partner with Quality, Operations, Procurement, Business Development/Sales, customers, and suppliers to align requirements and execute effective design transfer.
• Manage multiple projects, communicate status and technical risks, and ensure Engineering follows applicable ISO 9001/AS9100 design, document, configuration, and change-control requirements.

Skills

Leadership

CAD/GD&T

Systems thinking

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related Engineering discipline

Tools

SolidWorks/AutoCAD

FEA/CAE

3D printing

CMM/metrology

Optical/RF test equipment

Job description

KITCO Fiber Optics, Inc. is seeking a Lead Engineer to provide hands-on technical leadership for a multidisciplinary team developing ruggedized fiber optic and connectivity products for defense, aerospace, and telecom applications.

The role drives requirements through design, prototyping, verification, release, and post-release support in a field with strict military standards. Occasional travel and a collaborative, hands-on environment are expected.