Senior Test Engineer

Join the founding members of a new Operations Engineering NPI team in Indianapolis, chartered with bringing VIAVI's next generation of fiber optic test instruments — OTDR modules, handheld fiber testers, optical power meters and sources, and automated fiber certification systems — from R&D into volume manufacturing. This is a hands‑on NPI and manufacturing test engineering role focused on optical instrument automation, rack‑and‑stack system design, and code development, working in close partnership with R&D in Indianapolis and VIAVI's prime fiber optic design center in St.

Etienne, France.

Note to Applicants:
This is a factory automation and manufacturing test engineering role. It is NOT a field service, customer‑facing applications engineering, or product management position.

We're building this team from the ground up and investing in the right engineer to help shape it:

Averna Launch Certification:
We provide full training on our standard test executive wrapper.

Unlimited NI Training:
Access to National Instruments modules to elevate your Test Stand skills to Architect level.

Advanced Photonics Lab Access:
Direct access to tunable laser sources, high‑precision OTDR reference modules, and optical spectrum analysis instrumentation.

• Architect Production Test Systems:
  Design, build, and deploy automated test racks for New Product Introduction (NPI) and legacy fiber instrument manufacturing (OTDR modules, handheld testers, optical power meters and sources).
• Instrument Control:
  Write robust drivers and test sequences in Python, C++, or NI Test Stand to control optical power meters, tunable laser sources, optical switches, variable optical attenuators (VOAs), and reference‑grade OTDR modules.
• Complex Optical Analysis:
  Develop algorithms to measure optical parameters (insertion loss, return loss, dynamic range, dead zone, pulse width, wavelength accuracy, linearity) for fiber optic test instruments.
• Statistical Quality Control:
  Implement Gauge R&R, Cpk, and Measurement Uncertainty analysis.
• Design for Test (DfT):
  Partner with R&D in Indianapolis and the prime fiber optic design center in St. Etienne, France to ensure new products are designed for automated test access.
• Project Planning:
  Drive detailed planning to ensure all test solutions are developed, documented, debugged, deployed, and validated prior to production pilot run.
• Fixture Development:
  Partner with R&D and the Senior Manufacturing Engineer to develop contract manufacturing‑ready test systems, fixtures, and optical launch/connectorization jigs.
• Process Optimization:
  Optimize calibration and test processes for coverage, cycle time, and test stand capacity.
• System Deployment:
  Install and validate production systems at the Indianapolis facility and contract manufacturing sites.
• Lifecycle Maintenance:
  Maintain and update existing production test processes throughout the product lifecycle.
• Documentation:
  Produce written documentation including test specifications, procedures, installation instructions, interconnect diagrams, and preventive maintenance guides.
• Cross‑Functional Communication:
  Communicate effectively with stakeholders including R&D (Indianapolis and St. Etienne), Product Line Management (PLM), Program Management, Manufacturing Engineering, and contract manufacturing partners — including comfortable collaboration across time zones with the France design team.
• Team Leadership:
  As a founding member of a new team, help establish team norms and practices in addition to individual technical delivery; actively engage with the team and management by reporting status against commitments and…