Optical System Test Engineer

Molex; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Molex is seeking an Optical System Test Engineer in Fremont, CA, to lead lab management and systems testing for advanced DWDM networks. You’ll collaborate with R&D, sales, marketing and product management to ensure high-quality solutions and scalable architecture.

The role emphasizes developing lab infrastructure, Python automation, and cross-functional design reviews. A BS/MS in a related field with 3+ years in optical networks is required, with on-site work in California.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related technical field or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years hands-on experience with optical communication systems and DWDM networks.
• 2+ years of professional Python or similar scripting for automation.
• Experience with DWDM components, coherent transmission, and optical amplification.
• Experience using optical test equipment (OTDR, OSA, BERT, power meters).
• Ability to design and execute test plans and automation for production and R&D.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain lab infrastructure for optical systems testing.
• Develop Python-based automation scripts and tools to analyze and troubleshoot networks.
• Review designs to ensure customer requirements and development guidelines are met.
• Define system architecture and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to optimize performance.
• Design and implement module- and system-level test plans and validation procedures.
• Support field operations with issue investigation and log analysis.

Skills

Python scripting

DWDM networks

Lab automation

Test equipment usage

Automation frameworks

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

OTDR

OSA

BERT

Job description

Your Job

As an Optical System Test Engineer you'll lead systems engineering and lab management for our cutting-edge DWDM optical network. You'll work with external technical experts and collaborate with internal cross-functional teams including R&D, sales, marketing, and product management to surpass customer expectations and drive innovation.

Our Team

Molex possesses a rich heritage in the optical industry. We provide the highest performing and field-proven wavelength management solutions from components, modules to integrated line-cards. Continuous innovation in passive component function integration, miniaturization, and manufacturing automation, cutting edge WSS and amplification technology and comprehensive optical, mechanical, electrical and software design capabilities enable us to serve the needs of high-density, high-bandwidth, and flexible optical networks of telecom, datacom, hyperscale datacenter and supercomputing. We serve global clients in telecom and datacom industries in providing innovative optical modules and subsystems to support our customer's next generation networks. We are hiring a Staff Optical System Test Engineer to join our team. This person will be responsible for testing our optical DWDM network. This role is critical to the advancement of our next phases in product development.

What You Will Do

• Build and maintain the lab infrastructure for the optical systems
• Develop and maintain Python-based automation scripts, tools, and frameworks to analyze, monitor, and troubleshoot network systems.
• Assess and review designs and project activities to ensure compliance with customer requirements and development guidelines, providing actionable feedback to enhance product quality.
• Define system architecture and collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and firmware teams to optimize performance, power, cost, and form factor.
• Continuously improve system architecture to enhance reliability, efficiency, scalability, and fault tolerance, ensuring seamless integration across hardware, software, and network layers.
• Work closely with engineering, product management, and testing teams to analyze requirements, identify risks, and develop scalable, standards-compliant solutions.
• Design and implement module- and system-level test plans, ensuring robustness and compliance with specifications.
• Assist in customer certification tests, ensuring compliance with industry standards and performance requirements.
• Develop operational improvements in change management, workflows, and day-to-day processes.
• Provide technical support for field operations, including issue investigation, log analysis, and resolution of optical network problems.
• Document and share best practices, troubleshooting guides, and lessons learned to improve field serviceability.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• BS or MS in Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience in optical communication systems such as operating and maintaining DWDM optical networks.
• Minimum of 2+ years of professional experience in Python or similar scripting languages for automation and scripting tasks.
• Hands-on experience with operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of:
• DWDM systems (fixed and flexible grid)
• Coherent optical transmission systems
• Optical amplification technologies (EDFA, Raman)
• Optical protection schemes
• Pluggable optics and transponders
• Hands-on experience with optical test equipment for troubleshooting and validation, including OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer), OSA (Optical Spectrum Analyzer), BERT (Bit Error Rate Tester), and optical power meters.
• Design, develop, and maintain automation scripts (Python or similar) to streamline production line bring-up, testing, and validation processes.
• Write and execute test plans, automation frameworks, and validation procedures
• Develop troubleshooting tools, diagnostic scripts, and system guides to improve operational efficiency.
• Proven customer focus with strong relationship-building skills and a track record of end-to-end problem resolution.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to perform logical breakdowns, root cause analysis (RCA), and cross-functional investigations involving hardware, software, and optical transport systems.
• Conduct statistical analysis of network hardware performance and incident data to identify trends and develop data-driven continual improvement plans
• Utilize analytical insights to optimize network reliability, performance, and operational efficiency
• Strong understanding of optical link budgets, signal integrity, and performance optimization in high-speed networks.

For this role, we anticipate paying $130,000 - $180,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .

Who We Are

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading-edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.