Senior R&D Engineer-Cable

Lightera-Creating Brighter Connections

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, creating technologies that help the world communicate, compute, connect, and grow. From communications networks and data centers to advanced industrial and specialty applications, our teams develop solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more resilient connections around the world.

The name Lightera combines “light” and “era” to represent a new era of connectivity made possible by light. It reflects our roots in fiber optics and our ambition to help shape a brighter, more connected future.

At Lightera, we are creating brighter connections through innovation, expertise, and collaboration. Our principles, We Lead, We Learn, and We Care, guide how we work, solve problems, support one another, and serve our customers. Lightera is committed to safety of our employees and the communities where we operate.

Working at Lightera

Joining Lightera means working alongside people solving complex challenges in optical communications and connectivity. We offer opportunities to contribute, learn, develop your expertise, and help create technologies that connect people, businesses, and communities around the world. In addition, we offer competitive salaries and generous benefits programs including medical, dental, tuition reimbursement, and a matching 401(k) plan.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, Lightera operates globally, serving customers across communications, data center, industrial, medical, aerospace, defense, and other advanced technology markets. Lightera is part of the Furukawa Electric Group

Senior R&D Engineer-Cable

Carrollton, GA- Onsite

Office: Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment utilizing typical office equipment and technology.

Job Summary

The Senior R&D Engineer – Cable is responsible for the research, design, development, testing, and optimization of fiber-optic cable products and technologies. This position provides advanced technical expertise in cable design, materials, optical and mechanical performance, and manufacturing processes to support new product development, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Working collaboratively with R&D, Product Management, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, and other cross-functional teams, the Senior R&D Engineer independently leads complex engineering assignments from concept and feasibility through design verification, qualification, manufacturing scale-up, and implementation. The role translates customer, industry, and business requirements into innovative, reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective cable solutions.

This is a senior technical individual-contributor role requiring specialized knowledge of fiber-optic cable technologies, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and sound engineering judgment. The engineer provides technical guidance and mentoring to less-experienced colleagues and contributes to the Company’s product development objectives and technological capabilities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize fiber-optic cable products, components, materials, and technologies for telecommunications and other applicable markets; independently lead complex engineering assignments from concept through qualification and production implementation.
• Translate customer, market, reliability, cost, and manufacturing requirements into engineering designs, product specifications, test plans, qualification requirements, and technical development plans; evaluate design alternatives and recommend balanced technical solutions.
• Conduct feasibility studies, engineering calculations, design analyses, tolerance evaluations, prototype development, and design verification to assess cable performance and manufacturing feasibility.
• Apply advanced engineering principles to optical cable construction, mechanical performance, materials selection, and environmental durability; evaluate polymers, strength members, water-blocking materials, coatings, and jacketing systems.
• Develop and execute mechanical, optical, thermal, environmental, and reliability test plans; evaluate prototypes against applicable ICEA, Telcordia, IEC, customer-specific, and internal performance requirements; analyze results and document conclusions.
• Independently manage technical aspects of assigned product development and New Product Introduction projects, including schedules, deliverables, technical risk, design reviews, issue resolution, and engineering documentation.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, suppliers, and Quality on manufacturing samples, production trials, process compatibility, scale-up, and implementation; improve capability, quality, cost, and yield.
• Support customer evaluations, product qualifications, demonstrations, field trials, new product introductions, production ramp-up, and commercialization; coordinate technical activities with suppliers and external testing organizations as needed.
• Investigate and resolve material performance, mechanical reliability, and manufacturing compatibility challenges through failure investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective action; support Manufacturing and Quality with product and process troubleshooting.
• Maintain accurate design records, engineering drawings, technical reports, test results, product specifications, engineering changes, laboratory equipment records, and calibration documentation.
• Serve as a technical resource for cable development, testing, qualification, and product-related challenges; provide design reviews, mentoring, and technical guidance to less-experienced engineers and technical personnel.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams; participate in technical reviews and customer discussions and clearly communicate engineering findings, recommendations, status, risks, and tradeoffs.
• Apply CAD, simulation, statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), design failure mode and effects analysis (DFMEA), and structured problem-solving methods; promote sound engineering practices, technical documentation, and continuous improvement.
• Research emerging materials, cable architectures, and manufacturing technologies; identify improvements in cable density, flexibility, durability, environmental performance, material efficiency, process optimization, and cost; contribute invention disclosures, technical documentation, and patentable innovations and stay current with industry developments.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline required; a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Typically, 7+ years of progressive experience in research and development, product engineering, or technology development within fiber-optic cable, telecommunications cable, or a closely related industry.
• Demonstrated experience in product design, development, testing, and qualification of cable products or related technologies, including application of engineering analysis, testing methodologies, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Direct experience developing optical fiber cable products for outside plant, indoor, data center, or specialty applications; knowledge of high-fiber-count, high-density, compact, and specialty cable architectures is preferred.
• Strong technical understanding of cable construction, materials, optical and mechanical performance, and manufacturing processes; experience with polymer materials, mechanical design, environmental testing, and product reliability is preferred.
• Strong analytical problem-solving capability in engineering calculations, design analysis, root-cause investigations, technical decision-making, and evaluation of design alternatives.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex technical assignments, coordinate project activities, prioritize competing demands, and achieve development milestones and engineering objectives.
• Experience collaborating with research, engineering, manufacturing, quality, product management, and commercial teams to support development and manufacturing implementation; ability to provide engineering guidance and mentor less-experienced colleagues.
• Strong organizational, written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate complex technical concepts, engineering findings, and recommendations clearly to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Business acumen and an innovation and continuous improvement mindset, including understanding of product cost, manufacturability, customer requirements, and the commercial implications of engineering decisions; proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required.
• Additional Requirements:
• Familiarity with cable manufacturing technologies, including extrusion, stranding, jacketing, buffering, and related processes, and with applicable ICEA, Telcordia, IEC, and customer-specific product standards is preferred.
• Working knowledge of engineering design and analysis tools, including CAD, simulation, statistical analysis, and Design of Experiments (DOE), and experience supporting new product introductions, manufacturing scale-up, and commercialization is preferred.
• Experience contributing to intellectual property development and technical innovation, working in a global manufacturing or technology-driven organization, or developing, integrating, or operating automated test equipment and data acquisition systems is preferred.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Use Microsoft Word and Excel proficiently.
• Maintain discretion when handling confidential and proprietary information.
• Adhere strictly to company safety policies and procedures.
• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and Standards of Conduct.

Interested in helping us create brighter connections? Apply through the Lightera Careers Portal: https://lightera.com/careers/

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan) for this position

Note: Only those candidates selected for the interview process will be contacted

Lightera is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability