Job Overview

Data communications applications change at an exponential pace and TE Connectivity’s Digital Data Networks Business Unit (DDN BU) is at the heart of a continuously expanding connected life. We provide responsive, iterative, and fundamentally agile capabilities to support today's demands. Our customers are building the devices and the infrastructure that is redefining what information technology means. Our products drive market innovation and meet the ever-changing needs of an increasingly connected, data-driven world. We are enhancing the way we do business, focusing on the most important things and staying agile and responsive to the needs of a faster, more connected world.

As the R&D Product Development Engineer – Optical System Architect (SA), you will drive the next generation of Technology innovations in the Optical connectivity area. You will be focused on pluggable optical transceivers, near/co-package optical transceivers, optical interconnects for advanced AI/HPC environment, compute, storage, and networking hardware markets.   

You will apply your technical expertise and industry knowledge to influence the BU strategy and contribute to key product/technology decisions. You will collaborate closely with the Business Development and Strategy teams on M&A scenarios and projects, performing technical evaluations and assessing how the technology will intersect with future product/technology trends and the needs of our customers and industry. This role reports to the Director, leading the broader SA organization. 

Key Responsibilities

Optical Simulation and Engineering Support

• Support internal engineering teams with optical simulation, modeling, and analysis for development activities.
• Build capability in optical simulation tools, methods, and workflows used by TE for internal product and technology evaluation.
• Perform simulation studies, engineering calculations, and tradeoff analysis to support internal design assessments and feasibility reviews.
• Document assumptions, methods, results, and recommendations in clear technical reports.
• Support correlation of simulation results with lab data and engineering observations.
• Contribute to internal best practices, templates, and methods for simulation driven engineering.

Supllier Qualification and Techincal Evaluation

• Build and maintain a structured list of potential and approved suppliers for optical components, materials, and related technologies.
• Support supplier identification, technical screening, and qualification activities in partnership with sourcing, quality, and engineering teams.
• Coordinate technical communication with suppliers related to capability reviews, samples, documentation, and qualification follow up.
• Track supplier readiness, technical gaps, qualification status, and action items.
• Support internal documentation and reporting related to supplier capability and qualification progress.

Internal R&D/ and Development Support

• Support internal research and development projects through technical analysis, engineering documentation, and evaluation of components and materials.
• Assist with lab planning, test support, data review, and development documentation.
• Partner with TE engineering teams to identify technical risks, support problem solving, and improve development processes.
• Contribute to internal knowledge building in optical simulation, evaluation methods, and engineering workflows.

Cross functional Collaboration

• Work closely with internal R&D, product engineering, quality, sourcing, manufacturing, and operations teams.
• Provide technical input to support component evaluations, qualification planning, and internal engineering decisions.
• Communicate technical findings clearly to internal stakeholders.
• Maintain organized engineering records, reports, and supplier qualification documentation.

What your background should look like:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience in optical engineering, optical interconnects, product development, or related R&D work.
• Exposure to optical components, transceivers, fiber optic systems, or interconnect technologies.
• Experience with or strong interest in simulation driven engineering and optical modeling tools.
• Experience working across engineering teams to evaluate designs, components, or technical feasibility.
• Ability to work effectively with external suppliers on technical topics including capability reviews, design requirements, sample evaluation, and qualification follow through.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings clearly to internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills for documentation, supplier tracking, and technical evaluation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical simulation, modeling, or engineering analysis tools.
• Experience supporting supplier qualification, component evaluation, or technology scouting.
• Familiarity with reliability, validation, or design verification processes for optical or electromechanical products.
• Experience in data communications, networking hardware, or related interconnect technologies.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical field is a plus.

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