Optical Component Engineer

Summary

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Duties & Responsibilities

Summary: Our team develops optical test and measurement equipment for research labs and manufacturing facilities. We are looking for a senior optical engineer with experience across a broad spectrum of optical components, systems, and technologies. The successful candidate will also have a strong background in a wide range of optical components, suppliers, and technologies. The ideal candidate will have experience across the complete product life cycle: from concept and research through development and new product introduction. In addition, supplier interaction, component qualification, knowledge of quality and reliability standards, and an understanding of failure modes will be required.

• Develop, improve, and source optical components to be used in Viavi's test equipment portfolio.
• Develop packaging solutions for optical components including lasers, passive optics, and fiber devices.
• Present test data, analysis, and recommendations to other R&D teams for discussion and feedback.
• Collaborate with vendors on design for manufacturability (DfM), creating component specifications, and driving root‑cause analysis for component and production failures.
• Explore the applicability of new technologies, provide concepts, and contribute to new business development, including product technology life cycle management.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, software) to integrate components into new products and systems.
• Participate in optical and system design reviews.
• Develop testing requirements and establish testing solutions with hands‑on experience.

Pre‑Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience with developing optical components and fiber optic components.
• Experience with optical packaging of pigtailed butterfly laser diodes, PLCs, etc.
• Experience with optical component engineering, vendor interaction, selection, and component performance verification.
• Familiarity with optical test equipment, metrology, and calibration methods.
• Ability to model optical systems and migrate the design into manufacturing.
• Experience with various testing equipment, including hands‑on ability to develop and set up testing solutions and automation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to give and receive constructive criticism.
• 8+ years of experience in product and technology development.
• Knowledge of modern telecommunications and fiber optic transmission technologies.
• Proven track record of working with multidisciplinary and cross‑functional teams.
• Familiarity with telecommunication standards.
• Experience with the following types of products: EDFAs, free‑space optics, lasers, receivers, MEMS, WDM, GFF, attenuators, optical spectrum analyzers, optical filters, polarization‑maintaining fibers, polarimeters, optical power meters, and passive optical components.

Benefits

• paid time off
• health
• life and disability insurance
• 401(k)
• bonus program

Job Posting Pay Range: 100,219 to 186,121 Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.

VIAVI empowers Service Providers and IT organizations to manage the network lifecycle for complex 5G and Fiber networks with intuitive instruments, systems and technologies; and our expertise in light management and optical coatings help protect the world's bank notes from counterfeiters, enhance the colors you see, and enable advanced technology such as 3D sensing.

We are a team of thought leaders who have the freedom to support and innovate and look for new effective and efficient solutions for our customers.