Product Engineer

Role Summary

The Product Engineer will own the engineering, quality, and lifecycle performance of fiber optic passive products (e.g., connectors, adapters, patch cords/pigtails, attenuators, PLC splitters, modules, fiber management hardware/enclosures) and lead New Product Introduction (NPI) from concept through ramp. The role bridges R&D, manufacturing, sourcing, quality, and customers to deliver robust designs, stable processes, cost targets, and on-time launches to IEC/ITUT/Telcordia standards.

Product Ownership (Sustaining Engineering)

• Serve as the technical owner for assigned fiber optic passive SKUs across their lifecycle; maintain specifications, BoMs, routings, and DMR/Device History elements.
• Lead engineering changes (ECO/ECN), deviations, and CAPA; ensure documentation and effective change control.
• Benchmark and validate equivalents/alternatives for materials and components (e.g., ferrules, sleeves, adhesives, pigtail fibers, housings).
• Ensure ongoing compliance with IEC 61753/61754/61300, ITU?T G.65x, Telcordia GR?326/GR?1209/1221, RoHS/REACH, and customer-specific specs.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Convert PRD/MRD into technical requirements, CTQs, and verification plans.
• Lead proto EVT DVT PVT Ramp with gates and deliverables (risk register, PFMEA/DFMEA, control plans, PPAP/FAI, process validation IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Develop and release manufacturing processes: polishing, epoxy cure, cleaving, fusion splicing, crimping, fiber routing/management, laser marking, assembly and test.
• Define and qualify test methods: IL, RL, 3D interferometry (radius, apex offset, fiber height), geometry, durability, environmental, GR/IEC tests.
• Specify, source, and qualify tooling, fixtures, gauges, and ATE; create GR&R/MSA studies.
• Build cost models (material, conversion, yield), set target cost, and support VA/VE and SCT (Should-Cost) analysis.
• Industrialize products across sites/suppliers; manage process transfer and golden sample control.

Cross-Functional & Customer Support

• Partner with R&D, Operations, QA, Supply Chain, Sales/FAE and key customers for design reviews, qualification builds, line trials, and audits.
• Support customer qualifications and respond to technical queries, PPAP/FAI packages, and change notices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical/Electronics/Optics/Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent). Masters preferred.
• 48 years in product/manufacturing engineering for fiber optic passive components or closely related precision assemblies.
• Hands-on with:
• Connectorization (SC/LC/FC/MPO, UPC/APC), polishing processes, interferometer use/analysis.
• IL/RL testing, geometry measurements, environmental & mechanical tests as per IEC/Telcordia.
• Fusion splicing, cleaving, epoxy/adhesive systems, curing profiles, fiber handling and ESD/cleanliness.
• PLC splitters and WDM module assembly/test (nice to have).
• Proven NPI experience: PFMEA/DFMEA, control plans, PPAP/FAI, MSA/GR&R, IQ/OQ/PQ, SPC.
• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks/Creo), MS Office/Excel, and PLM/ERP (e.g., Windchill, Agile, SAP).
• Strong documentation discipline and change control (ECO/ECN).