Senior Manager, Global Cable R&D

Job Purpose

Lead optical fiber cable R&D for the North American Region of Lightera. This includes critical participation in the Global cable initiative, synthesis of a strategic vision for cable technology, and responsibility for program execution. This role is located in Carrollton, GA. This position is partially customer‑facing while driving future customer innovation through manufacturing capabilities.

Master's Degree in Engineering or related field (Mechanical or Chemical preferred).

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia (a plus but not required).
• Experience in fiber optical cable, extrusion, or optical industries is preferred.

• Promote a safe work environment through a strong safety culture and identification and correction of unsafe conditions. This includes being a role model by determining and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Create an environment of curiosity, innovation, and rigor in the design and development of industry‑leading new products and processes.
• Collaborate with PLM, M&S, other R&D technologies, and internal and external customers to establish product and technology roadmaps.
• Translate a strategic vision to specific program initiatives and lead diverse teams to execution.
• Provide consultation efforts personally or through the team to deploy new cable technology or technical issues to improve product and process performance.
• Responsible for team generation of intellectual property and maintaining technical expertise that keeps pace with, or anticipates, industry evolution.
• Cross‑collaboration across business units.
• Lead and support research and development facility needs and production equipment prototyping projects, including travel to evaluate opportunities and determine technical feasibility and installation requirements.
• Adjust staffing through hiring, performance management, and skill development as the needs of the business change with regards to technology or to promote staff professional development.
• Own department budget and cost allocation including external vendors.
• Communicate and collaborate with other managers, suppliers, and contractors in support of projects and services that directly or indirectly affect services to manufacturing operations.
• Perform performance appraisals, goal setting, and touch points for members of the R&D team in accordance with company guidelines.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to senior management as needed.
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestic and international.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

• Demonstrated knowledge of UV curable acrylate materials, equipment, and extrusion tooling used in manufacture of optical cables.
• Ability to propose and obtain patents and other intellectual property.
• Ability to assimilate multiple inputs (customer needs, market trends, PLM input, etc.) to create, advocate, and manage technical programs, particularly related to new product and process development.
• Ability to work individually or as part of a team.
• Organizational skills for tracking budgets, employees, contractors, and schedules simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Detail‑oriented for understanding complex systems.
• Analytical skills for evaluating information carefully and solving complex problems.
• Leadership skills necessary to develop and motivate diverse teams.
• Self‑motivated attitude with the ability to multitask and thrive in a timeline‑driven environment.
• Interpersonal communication skills with expertise in distilling complicated topics to a broader audience.
• Strong project management skills to meet schedules and budgets.

Director

Full‑time

Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Communications Equipment Manufacturing