Senior Optical Engineer - WSS & DGE Innovator

Molex; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Job summary

Molex, a global optical leader, seeks a Principal Optical Engineer at its Bridgewater, MA location to lead the design and prototyping of next-gen WSS and DGE modules. You will own system-level architecture, mentor engineers, perform advanced Zemax simulations, and drive robust, manufacturable solutions for high-density optical networks across hyperscale data centers.

Collaboration with opto-mechanical teams and engagement with R&D programs will shape product performance, cost, and delivery

Qualifications

• PhD required with 10+ years in optical design for product development.
• Deep theoretical and practical experience in optics and fiber coupling.
• Proven ability to guide engineers and act as a technical authority.
• Experience with WSS, DGE modules is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the innovation and detailed design of next generation WSS and DGE modules.
• Develop advanced free space optical system designs, including beam collimation, beam shaping, diffraction management, polarization control and high efficiency fiber coupling.
• Own optical system architecture from concept through feasibility, design reviews, and design release.
• Drive innovation initiatives, identifying novel optical approaches to improve performance, reduce size, enhance robustness, and lower cost.
• Perform advanced optical modeling and simulation using Zemax, including sequential and non-sequential ray tracing, tolerance analysis, stray light analysis, and sensitivity studies.
• Translate system performance requirements into detailed optical specifications, budgets, and design trade-offs.
• Work closely with opto-mechanical engineers to ensure robust packaging, alignment strategy, thermal stability, and manufacturability of optical systems.
• Participate in hands-on prototyping and validation activities to ensure strong correlation between design models and experimental results.
• Lead technical design reviews and provide clear justification of design decisions using simulation data and engineering analysis.
• Contribute to intellectual property development, including invention disclosures and patents.

Skills

Optical design leadership

Fiber coupling

Cross-functional leadership

System-level architecture

Education

PhD in Engineering, Physics, Photonics or related field

Tools

Zemax

Job description

Molex, a global optical leader, seeks a Principal Optical Engineer at its Bridgewater, MA location to lead the design and prototyping of next-gen WSS and DGE modules. You will own system-level architecture, mentor engineers, perform advanced Zemax simulations, and drive robust, manufacturable solutions for high-density optical networks across hyperscale data centers.

Collaboration with opto-mechanical teams and engagement with R&D programs will shape product performance, cost, and delivery