SR R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER- OPTICS COE

TE Connectivity; Town of Webster (NY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

TE Connectivity’s Digital Data Networks division in Rochester, NY is hiring a Sr R&D/Product Development Engineer focused on optics, fiber connectivity, and precision mechanical systems. You will lead from concept to production, collaborating across manufacturing, QA, and suppliers to deliver high-density optical products for AI and hyperscale data centers.

You’ll work at the intersection of optics, precision mechanics, materials, and high-speed communication, turning complex challenges into

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Product development experience from concept to production launch.
• Experience in optics, photonics, fiber optics, opto-mechanics or data-center hardware.

Responsibilities

• 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 design improvements.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, product management, suppliers, and global engineering teams.
• Support intellectual property creation and development of differentiated technology.
• At senior levels, lead complex technical work, mentor engineers, coordinate project teams, and influence product architecture.

Skills

Product development

Senior technical leadership

Optics/Photonics

Mechanical design

3D CAD

Finite element analysis

Engineering collaboration

Modeling and testing

Education

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

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Creo

Finite element analysis tools

MATLAB

Python

Zemax or similar optical software

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

Sr R&D/ Product Development Engineer -

Optics, Fiber Connectivity & Precision Mechanical Systems

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.

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

• 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

Please note: operations are currently based at a temporary site in Webster, NY. The team will transition to a permanent Rochester location (near RIC) upon completion.

Key Responsibilities

• 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)

Compensation

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $115,400 – $173,100 (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