Development Engineer, Sensing at Lightera in Avon, CT

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, which goes back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone more than a century ago. We have a proven track record of being first in the industry with application specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, fiber gratings and more. Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and supplying the best optical fibers, fiber cable and components and devices for our customers, with exceptional service that creates value for our shareholders, customers and employees. To do so, we must continue shaping the future of communications by applying the best minds to the challenges our customers will continually face.

We are seeking a Development Engineer to join our Specialty division in Avon, CT and support continued business growth.

This position serves as the technical expert for fiber-based sensing at Avon, covering specialty sensing fibers, multicore shape sensing fiber, and Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs).

The incumbent will help drive manufacturing technology development for shape sensor products to improve yield, capacity, quality, and cost and to meet customer commitments.

Responsible for leading Avon NPD projects for the Sensing value stream as technical and project lead, from feasibility through commercialization. Collaborate with Marketing, Lightera Labs, LATAM, and APAC teams on sensing business and technology development.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Shape Sensor Manufacturing Technology Development

• Act as technical lead for shape sensor manufacturing technology across preform, fiber draw, grating inscription, and testing; partner with Production, Process Engineering, and Quality.
• Lead data-driven root cause analysis and process improvements for yield and quality issues (e.g., twist rate, core spacing, cross-core wavelength variation) using DOE, SPC, and FMEA; support MRB decisions.
• Develop and improve test methods and capability (e.g., OBR/OFDR characterization) to increase throughput and measurement confidence.

• Define and document process specifications, design rules, and technical know-how to scale production reliably.

Lead Avon NPD for the Sensing Value Stream

• Lead or participate in projects to design and develop specialty sensing fibers and fiber-based sensing products, including multicore fibers and FBGs, within the NPD system.
• Own technical plans, risks, and deliverables for sensing NPD projects; present status and decisions needed at stage-gate and governance reviews.
• Review customers’ requests, design, and cost as part of the RFQ process.

• Assess technology and manufacturing readiness and close gaps to commercialization.

• Maintain integrity of technical data for existing fiber and sensing products and participate in portfolio optimization.

• Mentor engineers and technicians and share sensing expertise across teams.

Cross-functional and Global Collaboration

• Work with Marketing and Product Management to translate market and customer needs into technical requirements and the sensing technology roadmap.
• Partner with Lightera Labs on emerging sensing technologies and transfer them into development.
• Collaborate with LATAM and APAC teams on sensing products, customers, and technology development across regions.

• Interact with customers to understand applications and provide recommendations or customized solutions.

Key qualifications include:

• S. degree in a technical field with 5-15 years of program management expertise across the full product life cycle within a phase-gate development process. Demonstrated experience managing multi-location scale-ups and complex technology transfers.
• Demonstrated leadership in facilitating and motivating a cross-functional team.
• Demonstrated ability to plan activities towards a goal in a logical sequence.
• Basic business finance awareness (ability to review a product cost model, ability to understand project cash flow).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project strongly preferred
• Prior experience with optical fiber or cabling technology
• PMP Certification preferred.
• Experience working under ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or AS9100 quality system
• Experience interfacing with outside customers
• Excellent attention to detail

Working at LIGHTERA means having the opportunity to realize ideas, experience innovation and discover new solutions for the future. In addition to our dynamic work environment, we offer the following for our employees:

• Competitive salaries and generous benefits programs, including health, dental, vision and well-being.
• Company-sponsored 401(k) plan with a generous match and no vesting period.
• Tuition assistance, on-the-job training and opportunities for growth and advancement. We promote from within.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program and paid holidays.
• Casual work environment, PPE, safety eyeglass and shoe allowance.
• Clean, climate-controlled, modern facility with state of the art equipment.

Employees are expected to serve as role models for safe work practices and behaviors. This includes following established health and safety policies and procedures, maintaining a clean, organized work area, wearing, and properly storing all personal protective equipment (PPE), and actively engaging as a safety conscious worker with personal safety and wellness as a priority.

If you'd like to be part of an energetic, world leader in optic fiber solutions, please apply through our Career portal at https://lightera.com/about-us/.

Note: 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.

About Lightera
Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications.

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.