Principal Optical Engineer

Working in partnership with platform and optical architecture teams, this role translates approved architectures and technology selections into module, fiber, connector, rack-integration, supplier, validation, and manufacturing requirements and drives them from product definition through fleet deployment. Partner with platform and optical architecture teams to translate approved optical architectures and technology selections into deployable product requirements, interfaces, acceptance criteria, and implementation plans. Own product-level requirements and tradeoffs for optical modules and engines, fiber assemblies, connectors, fiber-management systems, and rack-level optical paths across performance, power, thermal constraints, reliability, serviceability, manufacturability, cost, schedule, and supply continuity. Drive optical interconnect productization from product definition through design maturity, prototype integration, interoperability, qualification, production release, manufacturing ramp, and fleet deployment. Lead cross-functional implementation and design reviews spanning optics, electrical interfaces, SI/PI, mechanical tolerances, thermal integration, firmware and telemetry, rack integration, validation, reliability, manufacturing, and serviceability. Define and drive component-, module-, assembly-, rack-, and system-level validation, qualification, reliability, inspection, and production-test strategies with evidence-based coverage and exit criteria. Lead resolution of complex module-, fiber-, connector-, rack-, manufacturing-, and field-level issues by organizing cross-team debug, correlating supplier and system data, and driving verified corrective and preventive actions. Provide technical direction to optical-module, fiber, cable, connector, ODM, contract-manufacturing, and test-equipment partners; establish deliverables, design-review criteria, quality expectations, yield targets, escalation paths, and readiness gates. Drive supplier selection and production readiness across design maturity, DFM/DFT/DFR, process capability, yield, quality, cost, capacity, continuity of supply, and change control. Identify productization and deployment risks early, communicate options and consequences to senior stakeholders, and drive decisions that balance performance, reliability, serviceability, schedule, cost, and fleet-scale operability. Mentor engineers and create reusable implementation specifications, qualification methods, manufacturing controls, supplier scorecards, design guides, and lessons learned across optical-interconnect programs. Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field and 10+ years of technical engineering experience, or equivalent experience. 10+ years of experience developing and delivering optical modules, fiber assemblies, connectors, fiber-management systems, or rack-level optical interconnects across the hardware product lifecycle.

leading optical hardware implementation, integration, validation, qualification, manufacturing readiness, and production deployment for complex cloud, networking, or AI infrastructure.

providing technical leadership across internal organizations and external module, cable, connector, ODM, contract-manufacturing, or test partners.

productizing high-speed optical modules, optical engines, fiber assemblies, connector systems, or rack-scale optical interconnects for cloud, networking, or AI infrastructure.

Knowledge of pluggable, near-packaged, or co-packaged optical solutions sufficient to translate architecture interfaces into implementable module, fiber, connector, thermal, mechanical, telemetry, and serviceability requirements.

with 112G/224G-class electrical interfaces, PAM4 optical links, link budgets, FEC considerations, interoperability, and end-to-end system margin analysis.

Deep knowledge of fiber-optic connector and fiber-management technologies, including MPO, MMC, LC, lensed or expanded-beam interfaces, blind-mate designs, routing, cleaning, inspection, and high-density rack integration.

Hands-on experience with optical and high-speed electrical characterization, system bring-up, margin analysis, and correlation of supplier data, laboratory measurements, and production results.

defining DVT, qualification, reliability, inspection, production-test, DOE, FMEA, process-capability, yield, and quality-control plans for high-volume optical hardware.

directing optical-module, fiber, cable, connector, ODM, contract-manufacturing, and test-equipment partners across design maturity, cost, quality, capacity, supply continuity, change control, and ramp.