Fiber Optics Manufacturing Engineer
Somerville, NJ - USA
Job Summary
Join the power movement as a Fiber Optics Manufacturing Engineer
As a Fiber Optics Manufacturing Engineer at CFS you will play a critical role in developing scaling and continuously improving manufacturing processes for fiber optic cables and assemblies. You will work closely with Fiber Optic Specialists production technicians design engineering quality test supply chain and other cross-functional teams to transition fiber optic products from development into reliable repeatable production.
You will combine strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals with an understanding of fiber optic processes and product requirements. You will help turn hands-on fiber optic expertise into robust manufacturing processes tooling documentation process controls and production systems that enable high-quality high-yield manufacturing.
This role will split work between our Devens MA and Somerville MA locations.
- Partner with Fiber Optic Specialists and production teams to develop standardize and continuously improve fiber optic manufacturing processes
- Transition fiber optic products and processes from R&D and prototype builds into repeatable scalable production
- Develop implement and qualify manufacturing processes for fiber optic cables and assemblies balancing quality optical performance throughput cost and production rate
- Develop and optimize processes for fiber handling routing splicing wrapping jacketing bonding termination and cable assembly as applicable
- Develop manufacturing processes and controls that prevent fiber damage including excessive bending pinching tension handling routing and other sources of optical or mechanical degradation
- Develop and optimize tooling fixtures equipment and workstations to enable repeatable fiber optic manufacturing while protecting sensitive fiber and cable components
- Partner with Design Engineering to apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles and ensure product designs are manufacturable at production scale
- Establish manufacturing process parameters acceptance criteria inspection methods and process controls for critical fiber optic processes
- Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions process flow diagrams pFMEAs standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process control plans
- Partner with Quality and Test Engineering to develop effective inspection and test methods for critical fiber optic requirements
- Use manufacturing and optical performance data to identify sources of variation establish process capability and improve first-pass yield scrap rework cycle time and throughput
- Troubleshoot manufacturing and quality issues using structured root-cause analysis experiments data analysis and hands-on investigation
- Lead continuous improvement and RCCA projects that improve manufacturing yield reduce fiber damage and scrap and increase process robustness
- Provide hands-on technical support and training to Fiber Optic Specialists and production personnel on processes tooling equipment work instructions and best practices
- Support manufacturing capacity planning equipment requirements production readiness and process scaling
- Ensure manufacturing processes meet applicable safety quality and production requirements
- Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Industrial Engineering Optical Engineering or equivalent work experience
- 5 years of manufacturing engineering experience including experience developing or improving fiber optic optical cable assembly precision assembly or other technically sensitive manufacturing processes
- Experience working directly with fiber optic manufacturing cable assembly optical fiber handling splicing testing or related precision processes
- Strong understanding of manufacturing process development process control troubleshooting and continuous improvement
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma RCCA DOE SPC process capability or other structured problem-solving methodologies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use manufacturing and test data to identify root causes and drive process improvements
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with engineers Fiber Optic Specialists technicians quality test and other cross-functional teams
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety quality and execution
- Experience with fiber optic cable manufacturing fiber routing splicing termination wrapping jacketing or optical assemblies
- Experience with optical performance measurements such as attenuation insertion loss continuity spectral analysis or related fiber optic test methods
- Familiarity with OTDR OSA OBR optical power meters or other fiber optic test equipment
- Experience working with coated polyimide or other specialty fibers
- Experience with fiber proof testing or other mechanical qualification methods
- Experience developing processes for products with tight mechanical geometric or optical requirements
- Experience designing or procuring manufacturing equipment tooling fixtures and process controls
- Experience with CAD software and the ability to read and understand technical drawings including GD&T and tolerance stack-ups
- Proficiency in work instruction writing process mapping time studies capacity modeling and manufacturing data analysis
- Experience developing equipment specifications and maintenance plans
- High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
- Perform activities such as typing standing stooping and sitting for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat cold noise fumes strong magnets lead high voltage and cryogenics
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
Required Experience:
IC