Technical Manager, Fiber Lasers

Lightera; New Jersey; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) match

Job summary

Lightera, a global leader in optical fiber solutions, seeks a Technical Manager, Fiber Lasers in Somerset, NJ. You will lead design and development of fiber laser systems, guide teams across optical, thermal, and mechanical design, and ensure products meet performance, quality, and manufacturability goals.

You will mentor engineers, manage project milestones and budgets, and collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and marketing to drive product success and innovation in diverse applications.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 8–15 years of experience in high power fiber lasers.
• Experience delivering fiber laser products from concept through commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of fiber laser systems (CW and pulsed).
• Oversee optical, thermal, and mechanical design trade-offs to meet targets.
• Drive performance optimization and stability improvements.
• Identify high-potential fiber laser research areas for long-term product funnel.
• Guide root-cause analysis of field and production issues.

Skills

Technical leadership

People management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical reviews

Communication

Mentoring

Education

MS or PhD in Optical/Physics/EE

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Job description

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, which goes back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone more than a century ago. We have a proven track record of being first in the industry with application specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, fiber gratings and more. Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and supplying the best optical fibers, fiber cable and components and devices for our customers, with exceptional service that creates value for our shareholders, customers and employees. To do so, we must continue shaping the future of communications by applying the best minds to the challenges our customers will continually face.

We currently seek a Technical Manager to help support our Fiber Lasers Department in our Somerset, NJ location.

The Technical Manager, Fiber Lasers leads the development and execution of fiber laser technologies, overseeing technical teams responsible for laser architecture, optical design, and system integration. This role combines hands‑on technical leadership with people management and program ownership to deliver high-performance, reliable, and manufacturable fiber laser products.

Technical Leadership

• Lead design and development of fiber laser systems (CW and pulsed), including seed sources, amplifiers, pump coupling, and beam delivery.
• Oversee optical, thermal, and mechanical design trade-offs to meet power, beam quality, and reliability targets.
• Drive performance optimization, stability improvements, and nonlinear effect mitigation.
• Identify and explore new areas of high‑potential, fiber laser research to seed the long‑term product funnel.
• Support fiber laser product development by guiding root‑cause analysis of field and production issues.

Team & Program Management

• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
• Define project scope, milestones, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Conduct technical reviews and ensure adherence to development processes.
• Align technology roadmap with business and product strategy.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with manufacturing to ensure scalable fiber assembly and packaging processes.
• Collaborate with other technical leads to develop programs spanning fiber lasers, sensing, telecommunications, and medical applications.
• Work with quality and reliability teams on qualification and lifetime testing.
• Support Marketing and Sales Teams in customer‑facing technical discussions and advanced applications.

Innovation & External Engagement

• Contribute to IP strategy, invention disclosures, and patent reviews.
• Guide team in authoring high‑profile journal and conference proceeding publications.
• Monitor industry advancements through engagement with organizations such as SPIE, Optica, and IEEE.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Key Qualifications

Education

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.

Experience

• 8–15 years of experience in high power fiber lasers
• Demonstrated excellence in experimental optical physics, including assembly, test, measurement, and analysis of fiber lasers
• Strong track record in establishing and executing R&D projects
• Demonstrated experience delivering fiber laser products from concept through commercialization.
• Drive to work both independently and as a critical member of interdisciplinary teams
• Prior technical leadership or people management experience required.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of:
• Yb, Er, Tm and other single/double-clad fiber laser architectures
• Physics, modelling and simulation of active fibers
• Optical fibers, modes and waveguide design
• Nonlinear effects (SBS, SRS, mode instability)
• Fiber devices such as fiber combiners, gratings, and mode‑field adapters
• Thermal management and packaging
• Laser safety and reliability standards

Leadership Competencies

• Proven ability to lead and develop technical teams.
• Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective cross‑functional communicator.
• Balance innovation with schedule, cost, and manufacturability constraints.
• Drive to work both independently and as a critical member of interdisciplinary teams
• Exceptional documentation and presentation skills to all levels of the organization

General Expectations

• Demonstrate effective communications (verbal, written) skills
• Proficient with MS Office Word and Excel
• Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information
• Strict adherence to Company safety policies and procedures
• Conform to all aspects of Lightera’s “Standards of Conduct” document

Working at LIGHTERA means having the opportunity to realize ideas, experience innovation and discover new solutions for the future.

• competitive salaries and generous benefits programs, including medical, dental, tuition reimbursement and a matching 401(k) plan.

Employees are expected to serve as role models for safe work practices and behaviors. This includes following established health and safety policies and procedures, maintaining a clean, organized work area, wearing, and properly storing all personal protective equipment (PPE), and actively engaging as a safety conscious worker with personal safety and wellness as a priority.

Note: Only those candidates selected for the interview process will be contacted.

About Lightera

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high‑performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi‑billion‑dollar leader in optical communications.

Lightera is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.