Overview As Senior Optical Design Engineer, you will help shape the next generation of high-reliability optical network elements for submarine systems. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, test, and transfer optical modules and undersea equipment into manufacturing. Your work will focus on advanced fiber optic components, simulations, and verification across terminal and undersea applications. This role offers meaningful impact on global connectivity, within a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values innovation and collaboration.
Compensation / Benefits- competitive salaries
- medical, dental, vision insurance
- life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- vacation and sick leave
- paid parental leave and holidays
Responsibilities- Develop and approve product and system requirements documents
- Participate in product requirement and design reviews
- Develop electro-optic modules and optical amplifiers for terminal and undersea applications
- Simulate electro-optic performance using optical modeling tools
- Specify and characterize fiber optic components; negotiate with suppliers
- Plan and execute design verification and environmental qualification testing
- Analyze and present test data validating module performance
- Collaborate with electrical engineers and PCBA designers to generate PCBAs
- Develop GUI-based test software tools for circuit boards and components
- Provide firmware requirements and support firmware integration
- Create manufacturing test requirements and transfer modules to production
- Support manufacturing and field operations throughout product life
- Uphold SubCom values of quality, accountability, innovation, and teamwork
Key requirements- 8+ years designing and developing optical systems, modules, or subsystems (10+ years preferred)
- Deep knowledge of fiber optics, optical amplifiers, components, test methods, and electro-optic systems
- Hands-on modeling, prototyping, testing, and transfer to manufacturing
- Experience with optical simulation/modeling tools
- Strong lab, troubleshooting, and data analysis skills; DOE and performance characterization
- Experience with verification, qualification, and reliability test planning
- Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex concepts
- Experience designing/ modeling EDFAs
- Experience in undersea telecommunications systems, ROADMs, or related optical networking
- Experience developing manufacturing test procedures and R&D-to-PM transfers
- Firmware requirements and integration support
- Experience developing automated test tools or GUI-based applications (LabWindows/CVI or similar)
- strong collaboration across teams
- clear written and verbal communication
- mentorship and guidance for junior engineers
- fiber optics and components (lasers, amplifiers, modulators, detectors, isolators, cables, connectors)
- optical testing methods and OTDRs
- electro-optic design and modeling
