Senior Principal Fiber Optic Product Engineer

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

Senior Principal Fiber Optic Product Engineer

We are partnering with an established manufacturer of fiber optic connectivity solutions seeking an experienced Senior Principal Fiber Optic Product Engineer to support product development, manufacturing engineering, and the continued growth of its fiber optic assembly business.

This is a senior-level, hands-on engineering opportunity for someone with extensive experience in fiber optic cable assemblies, connector technologies, and manufacturing processes. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and experience bringing new fiber optic products from concept through production.

Key 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.

Qualifications

• Ideally 10-15+ years of experience in fiber optic manufacturing, product engineering, or connector assembly engineering.
• Extensive hands-on experience with fiber optic cable assemblies and connector manufacturing.
• Advanced knowledge of MPO/MTP multifiber connector systems, including termination, polishing, inspection, and testing.
• Experience with single-mode and multimode fiber, high-density connectivity, and custom fiber optic assemblies.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Engineering degree preferred; equivalent extensive hands-on industry experience will be considered.

Highly Desirable Experience

• US Conec connector technologies and manufacturing processes.
• MMC, VSFF, and emerging high-density fiber optic connector technologies.
• TMT ferrules and advanced polishing processes.
• Data center, hyperscale, telecommunications, or high-speed optical connectivity applications.
• IEC, TIA, and Telcordia fiber optic standards.

This opportunity is ideal for a technically strong engineer who enjoys remaining hands-on while playing a key role in product development, manufacturing innovation, and technical leadership.

Compensation:
$115,000 per year