Sr. Manager, Product Development Engineer - Fiber Optic Connector & Termination Systems, DDN

3/31/26

At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more connected world.

Job Description:

Job Overview

Sr. Manager, Product Development Engineer - Fiber Optic Connector & Termination Systems, Digital Data Networks (DDN) Business Unit | TE Connectivity

The Opportunity Join TE Connectivity's cutting-edge Passive Optics organization as a Product Development Engineering Manager and help pioneer the next generation of optical interconnect solutions powering AI and hyperscale computing. You'll tackle complex engineering challenges in fiber optics, working with advanced materials and precision manufacturing to create products that enable the world's most demanding data center applications.
Why This Role Matters

As AI workloads demand unprecedented bandwidth and reliability, optical interconnect engineering has become mission-critical. You'll be at the forefront of solving complex technical challenges that directly enable the AI revolution while advancing TE's leadership in high-performance optical connectivity.

Please note: operations are currently based at a temporary site in Webster, NY. The team will transition to a permanent Rochester location (near RIC) upon completion.

Job Requirements

What You'll Engineer:

Advanced Optical Connector Design & Development
Ganged Blind Mate Systems: Develop innovative fiber optic connectors featuring ganged blind mate ferrule configurations for high-density box-to-box attachment and cable assemblies
Mechanical Float Engineering: Design sophisticated backplane mechanical float systems enabling self-alignment of ganged ferrule arrays during blind mating operations, accounting for manufacturing tolerances
Alignment Architecture: Engineer precision alignment mechanisms for multi-fiber ferrule systems, including guide pin configurations, centering features, and compliance structures for reliable blind mate engagement
Performance Optimization: Engineer solutions for critical optical parameters including insertion loss, return loss, backscatter and optical power management across multiple parallel optical channels

Materials Engineering
Float Mechanism Materials: Evaluate and specify advanced polymers, elastomers, and metallic springs for mechanical float systems ensuring consistent alignment force and compliance
Ferrule Materials: Select precision ceramics, polymer composites, and hybrid materials optimized for ganged blind mate applications
Environmental Testing: Design and execute comprehensive test protocols for temperature, humidity, vibration, and mechanical stress validation of multi-fiber connector systems

Advanced Optical Concepts
Array Alignment Tolerances: Develop solutions managing channel-to-channel alignment accuracy, pitch tolerances, and angular misalignment in ganged configurations
Polarization Management: Develop solutions for polarization-dependent loss (PDL), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), and state of polarization control across parallel optical channels

Blind Mate Mechanism Design
Float System Architecture: Design mechanical float systems providing controlled compliance in X, Y, Z, and rotational axes for reliable ganged ferrule alignment
Engagement Dynamics: Analyze blind mate insertion forces, guide structures, and latching mechanisms for ganged connector systems
Tolerance Stack Analysis: Perform comprehensive tolerance analysis ensuring reliable blind mate operation across manufacturing variations and thermal cycling
Alignment Feature Design: Engineer precision guide pins, chamfers, and self-centering features optimized for ganged ferrule blind mate applications

Product Development & Validation
Prototyping: Lead rapid prototyping efforts from concept through production-ready designs for complex ganged connector systems
Testing & Characterization: Develop comprehensive test methodologies for optical performance, mechanical alignment accuracy, and reliability of blind mate systems
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with manufacturing, quality, and product management teams to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) of precision ganged ferrule assemblies

What your background should look like

Essential Qualifications
Education: BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
Experience: Typically requires a minimum of 13 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 10 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 6 years of experience; or equivalent experience
Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience with ganged ferrule design, mechanical float systems, and blind mate connector technologies
Materials Knowledge: Understanding of optical materials, thermal properties, and mechanical behavior of polymers, ceramics, and compliance mechanisms

Core Technical Competencies
Ganged Connector Systems: Deep expertise in multi-channel ferrule design, array alignment, and blind mate engagement mechanisms
Mechanical Float Design: Experience with compliance mechanisms, spring systems, and controlled mechanical float for optical alignment
Precision Manufacturing: Experience with high-precision tolerancing, precision molding, ferrule polishing, and ganged assembly processes
Measurement Systems: Proficiency with optical test equipment (OLTS, OTDRs, interferometers) and mechanical alignment measurement tools
Modeling & Simulation: Experience with finite element analysis (ANSYS, COMSOL), optical simulation software, and mechanical tolerance analysis

Specialized Knowledge Areas
Blind Mate Systems: Multi-channel blind mate connector design, engagement dynamics, and self-alignment mechanisms
Float Mechanisms: Spring-loaded systems, elastomeric compliance, and controlled mechanical float for optical applications
Fiber Optics: Single-mode and multi-mode fiber properties, splice loss mechanisms, and ganged connector design principles
Expanded Beam Optics: Non-contact, dust insensitive, alignment tolerant, lensed connector approaches
Thermal Analysis: Thermal modeling, CTE matching, and temperature-dependent performance of ganged systems
Manufacturing Processes: Injection molding, precision machining, ferrule polishing, and automated ganged assembly processes
Reliability Engineering: Accelerated testing, failure analysis, and statistical quality control for blind mate connector systems

Professional Skills
Problem Solving: Creative approach to complex multi-channel alignment challenges with systematic troubleshooting methodology
Communication: Ability to present technical concepts regarding ganged systems to cross-functional teams and document detailed engineering specifications
Project Management: Experience managing multiple connector development projects with competing priorities and tight timelines
Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying current with emerging optical technologies and blind mate connector innovations

Preferred Qualifications
Advanced Degree: MS/PhD in Optics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Science
Industry Experience: Background in telecommunications, data center, or high-speed interconnect markets with ganged connector applications
Standards Knowledge: Familiarity with IEC, TIA/EIA, and IEEE optical connector standards, particularly multi-fiber specifications
Programming Skills: MATLAB, Python, or other technical computing languages for tolerance analysis and system modeling
Patent Experience: Track record of intellectual property development in blind mate connectors and alignment mechanisms

Competencies

SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)

ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY

TE Connectivity plc (NYSE: TEL) is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. As a trusted innovation partner, our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions enable the distribution of power, signal and data to advance next-generation transportation, energy networks, automated factories, data centers enabling artificial intelligence, and more.

Our more than 90,000 employees, including 10,000 engineers, work alongside customers in approximately 130 countries. In a world that is racing ahead, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

COMPENSATION
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $180,400-$270,500 (subject to change dependent on physical location)
Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. TE Connectivity reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualification of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.
Total Compensation = Base Salary + Incentive(s) + Benefits

BENEFITS
A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and voluntary benefits.

EOE, Including Disability/Vets

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING RECRUITMENT FRAUD
TE Connectivity has become aware of fraudulent recruitment activities being conducted by individuals or organizations falsely claiming to represent TE Connectivity. Please be advised that TE Connectivity never requests payment or fees from job applicants at any stage of the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings are posted exclusively on our official careers website at te.com/careers, and all email communications from our recruitment team will come only from actual email addresses ending in @te.com. If you receive any suspicious communications, we strongly advise you not to engage or provide any personal information, and to report the incident to your local authorities.

Job Locations:

780 Salt Road
Webster, New York 14580-9709
United States

Posting City: Rochester

Job Country: United States

Travel Required: 10% to 25%

Requisition ID: 148428

Workplace Type: Onsite

External Careers Page: