Mechanical Design Engineer - Connectors

Mixx Technologies, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mixx Technologies, Inc. seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design and build of high-speed optical connectors with micron-level tolerances. You will drive ferrule, alignment, and latching mechanisms, developing precise CAD models and tolerance stacks.

You will perform structural, thermal, and vibration analyses using FEA, apply GD&T, and ensure manufacturability. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate connectors into complex photonics systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of precision mechanical design experience in photonics/semiconductor or related industry.
• Proficient in SolidWorks and FEA with micrometer tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Build and validate advanced optical connectors with micron tolerances.
• Develop drawings, CAD models, and tolerance stacks.
• Design interfaces to meet insertion-loss, return-loss, and mating-durability specs.
• Perform structural, thermal, and vibration analyses via FEA.
• Apply GD&T for manufacturability and alignment at micron scale.
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, packaging, testing, and manufacturing teams.
• Support prototypes, testing, and failure analysis.

Skills

Precision mechanical design

Tolerance analysis

GD&T

FEM/FEA fundamentals

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA

Job description

About Mixx Technologies

Mixx Technologies is building next-generation optical interconnect solutions that enable true system-level integration for hyperscale data centers. We combine expertise in silicon photonics, packaging, fiber connectivity and system integration to deliver products that set new standards for performance, density, and scalability to drive the next generation of artificial intelligence.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our multidisciplinary team and lead the design and build of advanced optical connectors. This individual will play a key role in designing, building, and validating precision optical connectors (such as MTP, MPO, MMC, or similar high-speed/co-packaged optical connectors) critical to our advanced photonics and packaging solutions. The ideal candidate has strong expertise in mechanical design, tolerance analysis, and connector-level FEA, with the ability to translate engineering requirements into manufacturable connector designs at micron-level accuracy. This individual should be motivated to learn and grow in new areas, while relying on a strong foundation of engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Build advanced optical connectors such as MTP, MPO, MMC, or similar high-speed / co-packaged optical connectors, including design of ferrule, alignment, and latching mechanisms to micron-level tolerances
• Develop and review detailed drawings, CAD models, and tolerance stacks.
• Design connector interfaces to meet insertion-loss, return-loss, and mating-durability specifications.
• Perform certain structural, thermal, and vibration analysis using FEA tools to validate designs under real-world conditions.
• Apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) principles to ensure manufacturability, alignment, and performance at the micron scale.
• Design fiber/cable management, strain relief, and boot/housing features to protect optical performance under mechanical load
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (optical, electrical, packaging, testing, manufacturing) to integrate mechanical designs into complex systems.
• Partner with vendors and manufacturers to ensure designs meet quality and cost targets.
• Support prototype builds, testing, and failure analysis to drive design improvements.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in precision mechanical design (optical, semiconductor, photonics, or related industry experience preferred).
• Hands-on experience with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent).
• Experience building advanced optical connectors such as MTP, MPO, MMC or similar high-speed / co-packaged optical connectors
• Strong understanding of FEA tools.
• Deep knowledge of micrometer-level tolerances and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Proficiency in GD&T (ASME Y14.5 standards).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in photonics packaging, semiconductor equipment, or precision optomechanical systems.
• Knowledge of materials science (thermal expansion, stress, fatigue).
• Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing processes and DFM (Design for Manufacturability).
• Experience in fiber optic cable assembly, polishing/ferrule fabrication, or vendor qualification for optical connector components.

Why Join Us

At Mixx Technologies, you’ll be part of a fast-moving team rethinking what’s possible in AI infrastructure. We offer a collaborative culture, deep technical challenges, and the opportunity to shape the mechanics behind the world’s most advanced computing systems.