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
Technical Manager-Connectivity R&D
Carrollton, GA- Onsite
Office: Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment utilizing typical office equipment and technology.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Technical Manager – Connectivity leads the design, development, testing, and commercialization of fiber-optic connectors, adapters, ferrules, termination systems, cable assemblies, and related optical components and technologies. The role provides technical direction to meet customer requirements for optical performance, mechanical reliability, quality, cost, and manufacturability.
Partnering with R&D, Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and other teams, the Technical Manager oversees engineering from concept through qualification and manufacturing implementation. The role combines optical connectivity, precision engineering, materials, and manufacturing expertise with technical problem-solving, project leadership, and continuous improvement.
- Lead development of fiber-optic connectors, adapters, ferrules, termination systems, cable assemblies, and related optical components from concept through design, testing, qualification, and manufacturing transfer..
- Guide connectivity design, fiber alignment, precision mechanics, tolerance analysis, materials selection, and testing; use DOE, statistics, modeling, and root-cause analysis to resolve technical issues and drive corrective actions.
- Ensure designs meet customer requirements, applicable IEC, TIA, and Telcordia standards, and optical performance, reliability, quality, cost, and manufacturability targets; evaluate insertion loss, return loss, alignment, and environmental durability.
- Lead and mentor technical staff, coordinate engineering activities, and develop team capabilities; provide performance management, coaching, and employee development for assigned direct reports, where applicable.
- Manage project scope, milestones, resources, risks, and timelines in alignment with R&D priorities, product roadmaps, and business objectives; communicate progress and recommended actions.
- Partner with R&D, Product Management, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to translate customer needs into scalable engineering and manufacturing solutions.
- Maintain specifications, bills of materials, drawings, design records, test results, qualification plans, and manufacturing requirements; promote disciplined engineering and product-development practices.
- Assess emerging connectivity technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods; support product differentiation, technology roadmaps, invention disclosures, and patentable innovations.
- Optimize single-mode, multimode, multifiber, and high-density connectivity architectures for optical performance, reliability, differentiation, ease of assembly, and reduced manufacturing complexity.
- Oversee feasibility studies, prototypes, design verification, optical, mechanical, and environmental qualification, customer evaluations, scale-up, and new product introduction.
- Validate ferrules, polymers, adhesives, ceramics, and precision components; apply material compatibility, precision design, DFM, and DFA principles to improve performance, reliability, sustainability, and cost.
- Work with optical fiber, cable, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure compatibility, optical performance, and environmental durability across integrated connectivity solutions.
- Recommend designs, materials, components, and manufacturing processes; assess feasibility and risks, and escalate issues requiring cross-functional or leadership decisions.
- Coordinate project resources and priorities, monitor budgets, and improve design, molding, machining, assembly, termination, polishing, testing, and automation; foster innovation, accountability, and technical excellence.
- Support technical discussions with customers, suppliers, research institutions, industry organizations, and external partners to clarify requirements, resolve performance and reliability issues, and advance development.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline; a related master’s degree is preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive R&D, product engineering, or technology-development experience in fiber-optic connectivity, optical communications, precision components, or a related industry, including at least 3–5 years of technical, project, or people-management leadership.
- Demonstrated success developing and qualifying connectivity products or related precision technologies in manufacturing, leading projects from concept through manufacturing implementation and commercialization, resolving technical challenges, coordinating development, and collaborating across functions.
- Formal people-management experience is required, including setting expectations, performance coaching, technical talent development, and competing-priority management.
- Advanced knowledge of optical connector design, fiber alignment, precision mechanics and tolerances, insertion and return loss, mechanical qualification, environmental reliability, material compatibility, engineering documentation, and industry standards; experience with connectivity materials, components, and manufacturing processes.
- Preferred experience: connectors, adapters, cable assemblies, termination systems, high-density interconnects, and single-mode, multimode, and multifiber architectures; precision molding, machining, assembly, polishing, and automation; 3D CAD, tolerance analysis, simulation, DOE, DFM, DFA, statistics, FMEA, Lean or Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving; customer technical support, intellectual-property development, and global manufacturing or technology-driven organizations.
- Experience using disciplined project-management and product-development methods, including Agile or Scrum where appropriate, to meet development lead-time, milestone, and commercialization commitments.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Demonstrated strategic thinking, technical leadership, talent development, project and execution excellence, analytical problem-solving, risk assessment, business acumen, customer focus, cross-functional influence, clear communication, and continuous-improvement orientation.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications, drawings, test data, industry standards, and customer requirements and communicate decisions clearly.
- Ability to work effectively in engineering, laboratory, and office environments, with periodic activities in manufacturing facilities involving production equipment, prototype builds, and connectivity product testing.
- Domestic and international travel may be required to Company manufacturing locations and other facilities, supplier and customer sites, research institutions, technical conferences, and industry events.
- Performance may be evaluated based on successful completion of product-development milestones and assigned technical objectives; delivery of new and improved connectivity products aligned with business and customer requirements; improvements in optical performance, reliability, manufacturability, sustainability, and cost competitiveness; product innovation and intellectual-property development; successful qualification and manufacturing transfer; timely resolution of technical challenges and product performance issues; cross-functional collaboration and project execution; and team performance, talent development, and technical capability advancement, where applicable.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:
- Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Protect confidential and proprietary information and exercise professional judgment.
- 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
