Specialist, R&D - Product Development Support - Physical Science

Specialist, R&D
- Product Development Support
- Physical Science

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal‑clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools and jobsite power and lighting solutions.

The company also offers digital solutions including contractor planning and utility grid resiliency as well as field services including cable testing, rejuvenation and replacement to support our customers as a value‑add partner. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, employee benefits, tuition reimbursement and unlimited growth opportunities. Our more than seven decades of progressive growth can be attributed to our determination to developing innovative systems and solutions, exercising environmental stewardship and enhancing the well‑being of the communities in which we work and live.

Location:

Cofer Center

The Technical Product Development Specialist – Fiber Optic is responsible for executing laboratory activities in compliance with the laboratory’s Quality Management System (QMS), with a primary focus on fiber optic testing and a secondary role supporting industrial and business cable testing.

Approximately 60% of the role is dedicated to fiber laboratory operations, including optical cable qualification testing utilizing equipment such as Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), fusion splicer, software and mechanical metrology equipment. The technician diagnoses fiber breaks, faulty connections and signal degradation using specialized diagnostic tools, verifies that all fiber installations meet defined loss budgets and performance standards (e.g., ICEA S‑87‑640, TIA 568), and maintains detailed documentation including test reports, trace analyses and system records for internal management and client use.

Responsibilities also include routine inspection and maintenance activities, such as connector cleaning and proactive repairs, to prevent service degradation or outages and maintain record keeping.

The remaining 40% of the role supports industrial and other business cable testing as required. This includes conducting tests to applicable industry standards such as UL, CSA, ASTM, SAE and ISO. The technician analyzes test results, communicates nonconformities to laboratory management, and prepares accurate, concise reports that support new product development, cost out initiatives, regulatory compliance, manufacturing process support and commercial business needs.

• Demonstrate strong creative problem‑solving skills and adaptability in developing novel, practical testing solutions to meet evolving technical and business requirements.
• Develop test procedures; read, interpret and apply industry standards; prepare test samples; and perform testing in strict accordance with prescribed standards.
• Operate effectively in a hands‑on, detail‑oriented and time‑constrained laboratory environment, with approximately 90% of time dedicated to execution of testing to industry standards.
• Manage multiple projects with competing priorities, supporting a dynamic, market‑driven development environment.
• Inspect, maintain and verify testing equipment to ensure measurement accuracy and testing integrity, including routine quality checks and documentation review.
• Conduct UL DAP certification testing and actively support the maintenance of UL DAP accreditation.
• Accurately, clearly and impartially analyze and report test results in accordance with established laboratory procedures, including customer‑focused test reports and UL and CSA data packages supporting new product listings.
• Maintain a safe, organized and efficient laboratory workspace by applying 5S and general laboratory safety principles.

Minimum Education Level: High School Diploma

Years of

Experience:

2-5

Field of Expertise:
Wire and Cable/Lab

Minimum…