Sr Manufacturing Engineer, New Product Development

TE Connectivity; Fairview (NC); On-site; USD 103,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Job summary

TE Connectivity is seeking a Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer to launch new products and develop manufacturing technologies for fiber optic assemblies. You will collaborate across Product Development, Operations, and Quality to optimize production, improve cost efficiency, and maintain TE's safety standards.

The role emphasizes NPD, process development, and manufacturing support with a focus on data-driven problem solving and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• 5+ years in manufacturing, with 2+ years in fiber optic products.
• Experience with machine/process design and deployment into production.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead New Product & Process Development deliverables (NPD Phase Gate).
• Provide DFM/DFA feedback during early design stages.
• Conduct PFMEAs and mitigate high-risk areas.
• Collaborate on cost estimation for new product concepts.
• Design, develop, and deploy equipment, tooling, and fixtures for fiber optic assemblies.
• Lead line layout improvements and waste reduction initiatives.
• Utilize Lean tools to reduce cost and increase throughput.
• Support capital expenditure processes with ROI analysis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Manufacturing Engineering

MS or MBA preferred

Tools

3D CAD

MES

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

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

As a Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in launching new products, developing, and implementing manufacturing technologies, and driving continuous improvement across operations. You’ll collaborate with Product Development, Operations, Quality, and other cross‑functional teams to develop processes that support innovative new products while optimizing production, enhancing cost efficiency, and maintaining TE’s commitment to quality and safety standards.

Job Requirements

New Product & Process Development

• Execute deliverables for the NPD Phase Gate process.
• Provide DFM/DFA feedback during early product design stages.
• Conduct PFMEAs and implement high‑risk mitigation strategies.
• Leverage ME tools to support development and qualification of manufacturing processes (e.g., capability studies, sample builds, FAIs).
• Collaborate on cost estimation for new product concepts.
• Ensure new process and equipment compliance with TE safety and ergonomic policies.

Production Optimization

• Design, develop, and deploy equipment, tooling, and fixtures for fiber optic assemblies.
• Analyze and improve line layouts (material flow, ergonomics, waste reduction).
• Use Lean Manufacturing tools to reduce cost, improve quality, and increase throughput.
• Lead and support capital expenditure (CER) processes including justification and ROI analysis.
• Support root cause analysis using DMAIC, 5 Whys, 8D, and other problem‑solving tools.

Manufacturing Support

• Sustain and improve current manufacturing processes with a focus on fiber optic assemblies.
• Create and maintain manufacturing instructions, routings, and specifications for new product introduction.
• Support data collection and perform statistical analysis to ensure process control.
• Utilize statistical and DOE methods to develop and optimize new manufacturing processes.
• Work closely with quality teams to define process limits and manage material specs, aligning process capabilities with product requirements.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for fiber optic manufacturing processes across TE’s global operations footprint.

What Your Background Should Look Like

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Experience in fiber optics, electrical connectivity, tooling design, or wire crimping technologies.
• Experience introducing new products as part of a project team.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment, with at least 2 years related to fiber optic products.
• Experience with machine/process design and deployment into production.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; hands‑on and proactive approach.
• Familiarity with BOMs, routings, MES, and change management systems.
• Proficient in 3D CAD and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Exposure to programming languages or systems used in MES/database management.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; comfortable working in cross‑functional and geographically distributed teams.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma Manufacturing principles (Green or Black Belt certification preferred).
• Advanced degree (MS, MBA) is a plus.

Other Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (ITAR/EAR compliance).
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and work extended periods at a computer or on the production floor.

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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: $102,700 - $154,000 (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.