Optical Engineer III

3M HEALTHCARE; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Astreya is seeking an Optical Engineer III to monitor backbone networks and drive performance across long-haul and metro links in Reston, VA. You will commission, test, and optimize DWDM/ROADM and optical amplification systems, while coordinating with field staff and vendors.

You will analyze optical metrics, develop procedures (MOPs), and contribute to automation through scripting or coding. Excellent collaboration skills and deep optics knowledge are essential for this role at Astreya.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering or related field with 5–8 years' related experience.
• Experience with geometrical and physical optics, radiometry and lens design.
• Strong understanding of optical design, tolerance analysis, and stray light analysis.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and troubleshoot optical networks, ensuring guaranteed performance.
• Deploy and commission DWDM/ROADM systems across backbone networks.
• Develop and execute procedures for circuit turn-ups and maintenance (MOPs).
• Coordinate with field staff, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Create monitors, dashboards, and metrics to drive improvements.

Skills

Optical design

Radiometry

Lens design

Stray light analysis

Tolerance analysis

Optical testing

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering

Job description

Job Description

What this Job Entails:

• The Optical Engineer III will help monitor the network and troubleshoot network issues, and ensure we are able to provide guaranteed performance and capacity to our products.
• Scope: Engineers, commissions, and validates backbone optical transport systems for new builds and capacity augmentation projects
• Evaluates optical performance using field measurements and network management system data (OSNR, span loss, BER, optical power levels)
• Coordinates with field technicians, vendors, and internal cross-functional teams to deploy and integrate optical systems on backbone networks
• Deploys, configures, commissions, and tests DWDM, ROADM, and optical amplification systems across backbone infrastructure
• Develops, reviews, and executes Methods of Procedure (MOPs) for optical circuit turn-ups, maintenance activities, and network changes
• Performs remote turn-up and acceptance testing of optical circuits, including power balancing, channel provisioning, and end-to-end validation
• Conducts new build engineering activities including fiber acceptance, span loss verification, optical line system commissioning, and as-built documentation
• Supports optical equipment specification, vendor engagement, and RMA processes
• Other duties as required

Your Roles and Responsibilities:

• Monitor Optical Long Haul and Metro networks and troubleshoot a variety of issues in a timely manner.
• Perform fault isolation based on the troubleshooting outcome.
• Coordinate with smart hands and optical equipment manufacturers to resolve issues and restore service.
• Work cross-functionally and cross-regionally with other optical and network operational support teams.
• Partner with and escalation to, various internal teams in pursuant of restoring service and limiting impact.
• Manage and escalation critical events while communicating clearly and concisely.
• Document and optimize operational processes and procedures.
• Contribute to the creation of monitors, alerts, dashboards and metrics to drive continuous improvements.
• Identify areas for automation and create or participate in the solution with scripting or coding skills.
• Support deployment, and move, add, change teams.
• Partner with audit teams to ensure accurate inventory and documentation.
• Document and follow RMA processes and procedures for all relevant vendors.
• Detect and diagnose various error/failure conditions across an array of server types.
• Other duties as required.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S/B.A) from four-college or university and 5 to 8 years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Networks with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Experience working with geometrical and physical optics, radiometry and lens design
• Understanding of optical design and tolerance analysis
• Deep understanding of stray light analysis and non-sequential ray trace tools
• Knowledge about building and testing optical systems
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with laser systems
• Experience with CAD software such as
• Understanding of design for manufacturing and/or assembly

Physical Demand & Work Environment:

• Must have the ability to perform office-related tasks which may include prolonged sitting or standing
• Must have the ability to move from place to place within an office environment
• Must be able to use a computer
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively
• Some positions may require occasional repetitive motion or movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

Salary Range

Salary Range$85,120.00 - $134,400.00 USD (Salary)

Please note that the salary information provided herein is base pay only (gross); it does not include other forms of compensation which may or may not apply to this specific position, namely, performance-based bonuses, benefits-related payments, or other general incentives - none of which are guaranteed, may be subject to specific eligibility requirements, and are wholly within the discretion of Astreya to remit.

Further, the salary information noted above is a range that consists of a minimum and maximum rate of pay for this specific position. Where an applicant or employee is placed on this range will depend and be contingent on objective, documented work-related considerations like education, experience, certifications, licenses, preferred qualifications, among other factors.

Astreya offers comprehensive benefits to all Regular, Full-Time Employees, including:

• Medical provided through UHC (PPO, HSA, Surest options) / Medical provided through Kaiser (HMO option only) for California employees only
• Dental provided through UHC
• Nationwide Vision provided by UHC
• Flexible Spending Account for Health & Dependent Care
• Pre-Tax Account for Commuter Benefit/Parking & Transit (location-specific)
• Continuing Education and Professional Development via various integrated platforms, e.g. Udemy and Coursera
• Corporate Wellness Program provided by Goomi Group
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Days
• 401k Plan
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Critical Illness, Critical Hospital, and Voluntary Accident Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement (available 6 months after start date, capped)
• Paid Time Off (accrued and prorated, maximum of 120 hours annually)
• Paid Holidays
• Any other statutory leaves, paid time, or other ancillary benefits required under state and federal law