Components Engineer - Fiber Optics & Optical Systems

Component Engineer (Fiber Optics & Optical Systems)

Our client is seeking a Component Engineer to support the management, qualification, selection, and lifecycle planning of fiber optic, opto-electronic, and optical components used in advanced engineering programs. This role offers an opportunity to work closely with design engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and external suppliers to ensure the long-term success and reliability of critical hardware solutions.

The ideal candidate will have deep technical knowledge of optical and fiber optic components, strong cross-functional leadership skills, and experience supporting component lifecycle management, obsolescence planning, supplier engagement, and engineering change processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the selection, qualification, and lifecycle support of fiber optic, opto-electronic, and optical components.
• Prepare and review technical data packages for Design Team and Configuration Control Board (CCB) reviews.
• Generate and review screening and qualification test plans for component approval activities.
• Analyze and identify alternate components to address obsolescence, long lead times, and component standardization initiatives.
• Support DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages) and end-of-life (EOL) management activities.
• Maintain ownership of component requirements and approved component selections across supported programs.
• Lead new component requests, approvals, and component drawing development activities.
• Support failure investigations, Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA) reviews, and problem resolution efforts.
• Ensure component authenticity, traceability, environmental suitability, and program compliance requirements.
• Chair commodity review teams responsible for evaluating component usage across commercial, industrial, military, and space-grade applications.
• Manage multiple priorities and coordinate cross-functional activities to meet program schedules and objectives.
• Develop and maintain component technology roadmaps and long-term component strategies.
• Influence system architecture and performance decisions through technical trade studies and engineering recommendations.
• Support major engineering milestones, including design reviews and technical assessments.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and engineering teams to identify and implement optimal technical solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or another STEM-related discipline with 12+ years of experience, OR
• Master's degree with 10+ years of experience, OR
• PhD with 8+ years of experience. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience working with fiber optic, opto-electronic, and/or optical components and systems.
• Experience leading technical reviews, presentations, and small engineering teams.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional organizations, including:
  Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, Quality Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement.
• Strong technical understanding of component lifecycle management and engineering change processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience supporting fiber optic, opto-electronic, and optical components and systems.
• Strong understanding of:
  Geometric optics, Physical optics, Fiber optic fundamentals.
• Experience establishing component qualification standards, acceptance criteria, validation methodologies, and best practices.
• Hands-on experience with optical metrology, testing, inspection, and measurement equipment.
• Experience developing engineering processes, standards, and technology roadmaps.
• Experience evaluating suppliers and participating in technical negotiations.
• Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) tools such as Siemens Teamcenter or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements, including:
  Specialty Metals, Counterfeit Part Prevention, Conflict Minerals.
• Knowledge of industry standards including: ISO, IEC, Telcordia, IPC, VITA, JEDEC, MIL-STD, NASA standards.
• Strong understanding of system-level optical performance, tolerance analysis, and integration tradeoffs.
• Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.