SR R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER- OPTICS COE

First Sensor AG; 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 Ltd. in Rochester, NY, is seeking a Sr R&D/Product Development Engineer - Optics to advance optical connectivity technologies for AI, hyperscale data centers, and high-speed networks.

You will work at the intersection of optics, precision mechanics, materials and manufacturing, turning complex challenges into scalable products, with hybrid onsite work and opportunities to lead key projects. Phase-appropriate experience with CAD/FEA and a collaborative, cross-functional approach

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Experience in optics, photonics, or data-center hardware.
• Strong knowledge of CAD and simulation tools.
• Ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop new optical connectivity products from concept through production.
• Translate system requirements into robust engineering solutions.
• Model, simulate, prototype, and test designs.
• Define tolerances, materials, interfaces, and performance.
• Plan optical, mechanical, environmental, and reliability tests.
• Investigate failures and implement improvements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and global teams.
• Mentor engineers and influence product architecture at senior levels.

Skills

Optics

Photonic engineering

Precision mechanics

High-speed data systems

3D CAD design

Engineering documentation

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Optical Engineering

Photonics

Electrical Engineering

Materials Science

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Creo

ANSYS

COMSOL

MATLAB

Job description

Job Title: SR R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER- OPTICS COE

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

Depending on your expertise, you may contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• 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

Job Locations:

Posting City: Webster

Job Country: United States

Travel Required: Less than 10%

Requisition ID: 159745

Workplace Type: Onsite

External Careers Page: Engineering & Technology