R&D/Product Dvl Engineer Ii- Optics

Job Overview

R&D/ Product DVL Engineer II

Optics, Fiber Connectivity & Precision Mechanical Systems

Multiple Levels: Early-Career through Senior Technical Lead

Digital Data Networks (DDN) Business Unit | TE Connectivity

Location: Rochester, New York | Hybrid

Engineer the Connectivity Powering AI

TE Connectivity is expanding our Product Development Engineering team in Rochester, New York. We are hiring engineers across multiple career levels to develop the optical connectivity technologies enabling AI, hyperscale data centers, cloud computing, telecommunications, and next-generation digital infrastructure.

This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of optics, precision mechanics, materials, manufacturing, and high-speed communication. You will help turn complex technical challenges into scalable products that move enormous amounts of data faster, more reliably, and at greater density.

We are hiring Product Development Engineers:

Senior: 5+ years of experience 

Engineer II: 2-5 Years of experience 

Engineer I: 1-2 Years of experience 

Final level and scope will be matched to each candidate’s experience, technical depth, and leadership capabilities.

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

What You May Work On

Depending on your expertise, you may contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Free-space optics, expanded-beam, fiber-to-chip, and passive optical systems


• Fiber-optic connectors, ferrules, cable assemblies, termination systems, and optical shuffles


• Precision opto-mechanical and mechanical components, alignment systems, latches, strain relief, and blind-mate interfaces


• Fiber attachment units and interfaces to photonic integrated circuits


• Optical coupling, insertion-loss reduction, polarization management, beam alignment, and thermal stability


• Fiber routing, bend-radius management, polarity control, polishing, molding, and assembly processes


• Advanced polymers, ceramics, metals, adhesives, and other materials used in high-precision optical products


• CAD, optical modeling, tolerance analysis, finite element analysis, and design optimization


• Rapid prototyping, product testing, reliability validation, automation, and design for manufacturability

Job Responsibilities

• Develop new products from concept through qualification and production launch


• Translate customer and system requirements into robust engineering solutions


• Create and evaluate designs using modeling, simulation, prototyping, and experimentation


• Define critical tolerances, materials, interfaces, and performance requirements


• Plan and execute optical, mechanical, environmental, and reliability testing


• Investigate failures, identify root causes, and implement effective design improvements


• Partner with manufacturing, quality, product management, suppliers, and global engineering teams


• Support intellectual property creation and the development of differentiated technology


• At senior levels, lead complex technical work, mentor engineers, coordinate project teams, and influence product architecture

What your background should look like

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field


• Product development experience ranging from early-career through senior technical leadership


• Experience in one or more relevant areas, including optics, photonics, fiber optics, opto-mechanics, precision mechanical design, connectors, cable assemblies, communication systems, or data-center hardware


• Ability to apply structured engineering methods to complex, multidisciplinary problems


• Experience with relevant design, simulation, laboratory, test, or data-analysis tools


• Understanding of product development, prototyping, verification, reliability, and manufacturing processes


• Strong collaboration, technical communication, and problem-solving skill


• Experience with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, NX, Creo) and finite element analysis tools


• Experience with optical test equipment, Zemax or similar optical software, ANSYS, COMSOL, MATLAB, Python, precision manufacturing, injection molding, machining, fiber polishing, assembly automation, or industry standards is beneficial but not required for every position.

Competencies