Senior Optical Design Engineer (6977)

Are you looking for an opportunity with plenty of growth potential? Do you enjoy working in an exciting, fast-paced, collaborative environment? Are you interested in working with the world’s most innovative companies to create a more connected world? 

Connecting Continents. Impacting Communities. 

The backbone of the Internet is a series of high-tech subsea fiber optic cables deployed throughout the globe - SubCom has deployed over 50% of them. Our employees ensure data communications networks are engineered, manufactured, deployed to the highest standards, enabling faster and more reliable connectivity to communities worldwide. Every member of the SubCom team plays a role in an end-to-end process that is critical to enterprises, governments, big cities, and rural towns. 

We encourage, expect, and value creativity, thoughtful risk taking, openness to change, and diverse perspectives. Whether you’re a seasoned applicant seeking a new and exciting challenge, or you’re new to the workforce and looking for a flexible, rewarding, and fast-paced position with an innovative and stable organization (since 1953), SubCom has opportunities to advance your career. 

Position Overview

The Senior Optical Design Engineer is an established and experienced contributor on a team of outstanding engineers that research, develop, design, test, and transfer to manufacture our next generation of high-reliability opto-electronic network elements including monitoring and telemetry terminal equipment, as well as undersea repeaters, branching units and ROADMs.  The primary job activity synthesizes novel fiber optic designs based on commercial and custom high reliability fiber optic components. The position relies heavily on knowledge of fiber optic components (including lasers, amplifiers, modulators, OCM, WSS, couplers, filters, WDMS, isolators, Photodiodes, receivers, optical connectors) as well as optics, fiber optics, direct and coherent detection, OTDRs, optical testing methods, reliability, and computer control of devices and instrumentation. The role reports to the Director of Network Element Optical Design.  

Responsibilities   

• Participates in developing and approving product and system requirements documents
• Participates in product requirement and design reviews.
• Devises and develops new electro-optic modules and optical amplifiers for terminal and undersea applications.
• Simulates electro-optic performance using optical modeling tools
• Specifies components, negotiates with suppliers and characterizes fiber optic components to be used optical designs.
• Plans and completes design verification and environmental qualification test regimes as well as writes applicable reports.
• Analyzes, interprets and presents test data that validates optical module performance.
• Collaborates with electrical engineers and PCBA CAD designers to generate PCBA design files
• Develops GUI based test software tools for testing new circuit boards and components
• Provides firmware requirements and supports integration testing of firmware on new circuit assemblies
• Creates manufacturing test requirements and transfers newly designed modules from R&D to manufacturing.
• Supports manufacturing and provides field support throughout the life of such modules.
• Consistently ensures that business is always conducted with integrity and that behavior aligns with SubCom policies, procedures, and core values of quality, accountability, innovation, and teamwork

• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline; PhD considered in lieu of some experience.
• Minimum 8 years of experience designing and developing optical systems, modules, or subsystems; 10+ years preferred.
• Deep understanding of fiber optics, optical amplifiers, optical components, optical test methods, and electro-optic systems.
• Hands-on experience modeling, designing, prototyping, testing, and transferring optical products into manufacturing.
• Experience with optical simulation and modeling tools.
• Strong laboratory, troubleshooting, and data analysis skills, including design of experiments and performance characterization.
• Experience developing verification, qualification, and reliability test plans and analyzing results.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Experience designing and modeling Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFAs).
• Experience in undersea telecommunications systems, terminal equipment, ROADMs, or related optical networking technologies.
• Experience developing manufacturing test procedures and supporting product transfer from R&D to production.
• Experience defining firmware requirements and supporting firmware integration activities.
• Experience developing automated test tools or GUI-based applications using LabWindows/CVI or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of optical/electronic qualification and reliability standards.
• Demonstrated technical leadership on complex product development projects.
• Experience leading design reviews, DFMEA reviews, and technical risk assessments.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians.
• Strong project planning, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter capable of working independently in fast-paced and evolving environments.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence technical decisions and drive continuous improvement.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Candidates for positions with SubCom must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 

Employment eligibility verification will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Our selection procedure is based on local, state and federal law. Please be sure to attach a resume to your application. We are not able to consider applications without a resume. 

BENEFITS
SubCom offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to: competitive salaries, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverages, FSA, HSA, generous vacation, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, and a 401(k) plan with generous company match. Additionally, some positions may be eligible for shift differential. Note: If the posting is for an internship position, delete all benefit information. 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EMPLOYER OPPORTUNITY 
SubCom is committed to providing a work environment that prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristics protected by applicable law or regulation. 

SubCom engineers, manufactures, and installs subsea fiber optic data cables - the unsung heroes of global communication. With an unrelenting focus on quality, reliability, and value, SubCom offers flexible end-to-end building blocks for the high-tech networks that are the backbone of the world's digital infrastructure. While the company's origins date back to the mid-19th century, SubCom has deployed enough cable to circle the equator more than 25 times since its entry into the communications industry in 1955. 

SUBCOM’S CORE VALUES 
Quality - Accountability - Teamwork - Innovation