Senior Manager, Optical Quality & Reliability Engineering
About the role
At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more connected world. Join TE Connectivity's industry-leading Passive Optics organization as a Quality and Reliability Engineering Manager and drive excellence in optical interconnect solutions powering AI and hyperscale computing.
You'll ensure world-class quality and reliability for Fiber Attachment Unit (FAU) assemblies through advanced metrology, statistical analysis, and precision optical characterization that enables mission-critical data center applications.
Responsibilities
- Advanced Optical Characterization & Metrology: Lead precision optical testing, insertion/return loss, crosstalk, and backscatter reflectometry
- Perform state‑of‑polarization, PER measurements, and polarity verification
- Conduct laser/beam profiling and lens characterization for optimized coupling efficiency
- Develop sub‑micron optical alignment, pointing‑stability, and beam‑steering protocols
- Drive supplier qualification, incoming inspection, and capability assessments
- Interferometric & Advanced Optics: Utilize white‑light, coherence‑scanning, and phase‑shift interferometry for surface and dimensional analysis
- Conduct wavefront, aberration, and optical‑path‑difference characterization
- Perform spatial/temporal coherence measurements and visibility analysis
- Verify optical‑path stability, beam divergence, and diffraction performance
- Statistical Quality & Reliability Engineering: Apply SPC, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and control charts to optical performance
- Develop accelerated life tests, perform Weibull analysis, and predict failure rates
- Lead Six Sigma DMAIC initiatives, DOE, and root‑cause investigations
- Establish MSA, gauge R&R, and calibration protocols for optical test systems
- Test Development & Validation: Design automated optical test systems with integrated data acquisition
- Develop environmental tests: thermal cycling, humidity, vibration, mechanical stress
- Ensure compliance with IEC, TIA/EIA, and IEEE optical standards
- Collaborate cross‑functionally to drive DFQ and production readiness
Requirements
- Education: BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
- Experience: 10-12 years in optical quality engineering, fiber optics characterization, or photonics metrology
- Hands-on Expertise: Proven experience with optical bench setups, precision alignment systems, and advanced optical measurement techniques
- Statistical Knowledge: Strong foundation in statistical analysis, quality control methodologies, and reliability engineering principles
- Optical Metrology: Expert-level proficiency with optical spectrum analyzers (OSAs), optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs), interferometers, imaging systems, and polarimeters
- Measurement Systems: Hands-on experience with beam profilers, power meters, insertion loss test sets, and return loss analyzers
- Quality Tools: Proficiency with statistical software (Minitab, JMP, R), SPC implementation, and reliability analysis tools
- FAU Characterization: Comprehensive understanding of Fiber Attachment Unit testing requirements, coupling efficiency optimization, and performance validation
- Backscatter Analysis: Expertise in optical backscatter measurement, OFDR trace interpretation, and reflectance characterization
- Thermal Analysis: Experience with temperature-dependent optical performance, thermal cycling protocols, and environmental stress testing
- Manufacturing Quality: Knowledge of optical assembly processes, yield optimization, and in-line quality monitoring systems
Qualifications
Competencies SET: Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)
Benefits
- A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and voluntary benefits
Pay
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $155,000 – $232,500 (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