Product Development Engineer - Optics, Fiber Connectivity & Precision Mechanical Systems

TE Connectivity; City of Rochester (NY); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

TE Connectivity's Digital Data Networks unit in Rochester, NY seeks a Product Development Engineer to advance optical connectivity technologies for AI and data center applications. Roles span from early-career to senior, with a hybrid work setup and a transition to a Rochester site near RIT.

You will bridge optics, precision mechanics, and high-speed data, turning complex technical challenges into scalable products that move large data sets faster and more reliably.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or advanced degree in a related engineering field.
• Experience from concept to production launch in product development.
• Knowledge of optics, photonics, fiber optics, or data-center hardware.
• Ability to apply structured engineering methods to complex problems.
• Experience with design, simulation, laboratory tests, or data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products from concept through qualification and production launch.
• Translate customer and system requirements into robust engineering solutions.
• Define tolerances, materials, interfaces, and performance requirements.
• Plan and execute optical, mechanical, environmental, and reliability testing.
• Lead complex technical work and mentor engineers at senior levels.

Skills

Optics

Photonic

Fiber optics

Opto-mechanics

3D CAD

Finite element analysis

Python

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Creo

Zemax

ANSYS

COMSOL

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Digital Data Networks (DDN) Business Unit | TE Connectivity

At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more connected world.
Job Overview
Product Development Engineer -
Optics, Fiber Connectivity & Precision Mechanical Systems
Multiple Levels: Early-Career through Senior Technical Lead
Digital Data Networks (DDN) Business Unit | TE Connectivity
Location: Rochester, New York | Hybrid
Engineer the Connectivity Powering AI
TE Connectivity is expanding our Product Development Engineering team in Rochester, New York. We are hiring engineers across multiple career levels to develop the optical connectivity technologies enabling AI, hyperscale data centers, cloud computing, telecommunications, and next-generation digital infrastructure.
This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of optics, precision mechanics, materials, manufacturing, and high-speed communication. You will help turn complex technical challenges into scalable products that move enormous amounts of data faster, more reliably, and at greater density.
We Are Hiring Product Development Engineers
Senior: 5+ years of experience
Engineer II: 2-5 Years of experience
Engineer I: 1-2 Years of experience
Final level and scope will be matched to each candidate’s experience, technical depth, and leadership capabilities.
Please note: operations are currently based at a temporary site in Webster, NY. The team will transition to a permanent Rochester location (near RIT) upon completion.
What You May Work On
Depending on your expertise, you may contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Free-space optics, expanded-beam, fiber-to-chip, and passive optical systems
• Fiber-optic connectors, ferrules, cable assemblies, termination systems, and optical shuffles
• Precision opto-mechanical and mechanical components, alignment systems, latches, strain relief, and blind-mate interfaces
• Fiber attachment units and interfaces to photonic integrated circuits
• Optical coupling, insertion-loss reduction, polarization management, beam alignment, and thermal stability
• Fiber routing, bend-radius management, polarity control, polishing, molding, and assembly processes
• Advanced polymers, ceramics, metals, adhesives, and other materials used in high-precision optical products
• CAD, optical modeling, tolerance analysis, finite element analysis, and design optimization
• Rapid prototyping, product testing, reliability validation, automation, and design for manufacturability

Job Requirements

• Develop new products from concept through qualification and production launch
• Translate customer and system requirements into robust engineering solutions
• Create and evaluate designs using modeling, simulation, prototyping, and experimentation
• Define critical tolerances, materials, interfaces, and performance requirements
• Plan and execute optical, mechanical, environmental, and reliability testing
• Investigate failures, identify root causes, and implement effective design improvements
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, product management, suppliers, and global engineering teams
• Support intellectual property creation and the development of differentiated technology
• At senior levels, lead complex technical work, mentor engineers, coordinate project teams, and influence product architecture

What Your Background Should Look Like

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
• Product development experience ranging from early-career through senior technical leadership
• Experience in one or more relevant areas, including optics, photonics, fiber optics, opto-mechanics, precision mechanical design, connectors, cable assemblies, communication systems, or data-center hardware
• Ability to apply structured engineering methods to complex, multidisciplinary problems
• Experience with relevant design, simulation, laboratory, test, or data-analysis tools
• Understanding of product development, prototyping, verification, reliability, and manufacturing processes
• Strong collaboration, technical communication, and problem‑solving skill
• Experience with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, NX, Creo) and finite element analysis tools
• Experience with optical test equipment, Zemax or similar optical software, ANSYS, COMSOL, MATLAB, Python, precision manufacturing, injection molding, machining, fiber polishing, assembly automation, or industry standards is beneficial but not required for every position.

Competencies
SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)
About Te Connectivity
TE Connectivity plc (NYSE: TEL) is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. As a trusted innovation partner, our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions enable the distribution of power, signal and data to advance next-generation transportation, energy networks, automated factories, data centers enabling artificial intelligence, and more.
Our more than 90,000 employees, including 10,000 engineers, work alongside customers in approximately 130 countries. In a world that is racing ahead, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Compensation

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience:
• Senior Engineer: $115,400- $173,100 5+years
• Engineer II: $89,600- $134,400 2-5 years
• Engineer I: $71,300- $107,000 1-2 years

(subject to change dependent on physical location)

• Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. TE Connectivity reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualification of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.
• Total Compensation = Base Salary + Incentive(s) + Benefits

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and voluntary benefits.

EOE, Including Disability/Vets