Senior Fiber Optic Product Engineer - NPI & Manufacturing

JW & Associates; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

JW & Associates is seeking a Senior Principal Fiber Optic Product Engineer in Tampa to drive development and manufacturing of fiber optic assemblies. The role focuses on leading technical efforts across single-mode and multimode fibers and connector systems, while guiding production readiness from prototype to launch.

The ideal candidate brings 10–15+ years in fiber optic manufacturing, strong problem-solving skills, and a track record of translating designs into scalable production.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in fiber optic manufacturing, product engineering, or connector assembly engineering.
• Hands-on experience with fiber optic cable assemblies and connector manufacturing.
• Advanced knowledge of MPO/MTP multifiber connectors, including termination, polishing, inspection, and testing.
• Experience with single-mode and multimode fiber, high-density connectivity, and custom fiber optic assemblies.
• Proven success developing new products and transitioning designs into production.
• Strong troubleshooting and manufacturing process improvement experience.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, customer specifications, and engineering requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities related to single-mode and multimode fiber optic cable assemblies.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for MPO/MTP, LC, SC, and other fiber optic connector systems.
• Troubleshoot complex manufacturing challenges involving termination, polishing, insertion loss, return loss, and optical performance.
• Support new product introduction (NPI), including prototype development, product validation, and production launches.
• Evaluate customer specifications and RFQs to determine technical feasibility, manufacturing requirements, and cost-effective solutions.
• Develop bills of materials (BOMs), manufacturing processes, work instructions, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Quality, and Purchasing to support customer requirements and new business opportunities.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, production yields, and overall processes.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Fiber optic manufacturing

Product engineering

Connector assembly

MPO/MTP systems

Troubleshooting

Process improvement

Technical leadership

Interpreting specs

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Inspection equipment

Job description

JW & Associates is seeking a Senior Principal Fiber Optic Product Engineer in Tampa to drive development and manufacturing of fiber optic assemblies. The role focuses on leading technical efforts across single-mode and multimode fibers and connector systems, while guiding production readiness from prototype to launch.

The ideal candidate brings 10–15+ years in fiber optic manufacturing, strong problem-solving skills, and a track record of translating designs into scalable production.