Principal Mechanical Engineer - Optical Solutions

Molex; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible spending and health savings accounts

Paid vacation/time off

Educational assistance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Molex, located in Fremont, California, is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design of advanced optoelectronic packages. The ideal candidate will collaborate across teams to ensure that laser components meet strict reliability standards.

Required qualifications include a Master's in Mechanical Engineering and over 10 years of R&D experience. This position offers a salary range of $180,000 - $250,000 per year and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industry R&D experience in mechanical design of fiber-coupled optoelectronic packages.
• Experience with high thermal power density designs and submicron stability.
• Mechanical design experience with Mech software and FEA modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and layout of laser diode packages.
• Design and optimize optical subassemblies for high coupling efficiency.
• Develop package architectures integrating thermal electric coolers.
• Ensure compatibility with active alignment processes.
• Perform thermal and mechanical design analysis.

Skills

Mechanical design

Optical alignment

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Thermal modeling

Component qualification methodologies

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Strong communication skills

Education

Masters in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Molex possesses a rich heritage in the optical industry, delivering high-performance, field-proven optical solutions spanning components, modules, and fully integrated line cards. We provide cutting-edge wavelength management and amplifier technologies, supported by deep optical, mechanical, electrical, and software integration capabilities. These strengths enable Molex to serve the evolving needs of high-density, high-bandwidth, and flexible optical networks.

The Principal Mechanical Engineer will own mechanical designs of advanced optoelectronic packages (e.g., CPO, ELSFP). This role is responsible for all elements of mechanical design that relate to component design, manufacturability and long-term reliability. The position requires close collaboration with R&D and product design teams, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers to ensure laser components meet stringent optical, mechanical, and Telcordia reliability requirements.

What you will do:

• Lead mechanical design and layout of laser diode packages and various subcomponents
• Design and optimize optical subassemblies (laser, lens system, isolator/grating, fiber coupling) to achieve submicron alignment with high coupling efficiency and long-term stability
• Develop package architectures integrating thermal electric coolers, submounts, hermetic housings, lids, getters, and fiber attach features
• Ensure compatibility with active alignment processes, including fixture design, alignment tolerancing, and drift control during solder reflow or epoxy cure
• Perform thermal and mechanical design analysis: FEA, thermal modeling and evaluate impact on wavelength shift
• Design for high thermal power density and ensure adequate thermal margin
• Design for hermetic sealing approaches meeting leak rate targets
• Select and qualify materials and attachment methods
• Partner with suppliers to evaluate component capability, process maturity, and long-term reliability risks
• Drive design-for-manufacturability (DFM) to enable high-yield, scalable production

What You Will Have (Basic requirements):

• Masters in Mechanical Engineering
• At least 10+ years of industry R&D experience with mechanical design of fiber-coupled optoelectronic packages developed and transferred to manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated experience with optical alignment of components to submicron tolerances, designing for high thermal power density
• Proven ability to design for submicron stability over life
• Mechanical design using Mech software package/s with finite element analysis (FEA)
• Strong background in FEA modeling to calculate stress/design from CTE mismatch, optic misalignment, thermal limits, etc.
• Knowledgeable of various optical components (e.g., gratings, mirrors, lenses), stable attachment methods (e.g., epoxy and solder based)
• Knowledgeable in component qualification methodologies
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) methodology: design, verification, qualification, release to manufacturing
• Strong communication skills with suppliers, customers, and cross-functional internal teams

For this role, we anticipate paying $180,000 - $250,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

Our Benefits

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. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aqui, or tu).