KITCO Fiber Optics, Inc.
The Lead Engineer provides hands-on technical leadership and day-to-day guidance to a multidisciplinary engineering team developing ruggedized fiber optic and connectivity products for defense, aerospace, and telecommunications applications. This player-coach role serves as a key technical/design authority and leads projects from requirements and concept development through design, prototyping, verification/validation, release, and post-release technical support.
At KITCO Fiber Optics, we are a leading provider of fiber optic termination products and consulting services to the military and commercial communications industry. We specialize in the design and fabrication of fiber optic tools, tool kits, and custom cable assemblies. We also produce private label kits for a number of major connector manufacturers and sell our own broad line of products. Our field services division also performs on-site termination, splicing, troubleshooting and testing support, and our training division provides hands-on training and certification programs. We are recognized within the defense industry as fiber optic connectivity experts and, for over 20 years, have customized our products and services to meet strict military standards. We are a proud part of Marmon Aerospace and Defense Group, a Berkshire Hathaway Company.
Marmon Aerospace & Defense Group is a trusted provider of high-performance wire & cable, cable assembly, fiber optic, and connectivity solutions for the world's most demanding applications. We support customers across commercial and military aerospace, defense, space, power generation, and industrial markets-delivering solutions that perform in extreme environments where failure is not an option. From shipboard and ground systems to aircraft, launch vehicles, satellites, and critical infrastructure, our technologies are designed to meet stringent specifications and mission requirements.
BenefitsWe offer a competitive and well-rounded benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
- Short-term and long-term disability (STD/LTD) coverage
- Life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee discounts
- And more
Key Responsibilities- Lead, coach, and develop engineers and technical staff; set priorities, assign work, and identify resource or schedule risks early.
- Serve as senior technical lead/design authority for product development, modification, integration, and first-build/hybrid projects within assigned authority.
- Translate customer, contract, and system requirements into clear design inputs, technical plans, acceptance criteria, and risk-based controls.
- Lead technical/design reviews, engineering trade studies, prototype builds, test planning, verification/validation, and technical release decisions.
- Ensure drawings/models, BOMs, specifications, interfaces, acceptance criteria, and test evidence are complete, manufacturable, traceable, and configuration controlled.
- Drive DFM/DFA, cost/process improvements, alternate-source evaluations, and practical solutions that improve quality, reliability, and delivery performance.
- Lead root-cause investigations and resolve design, supplier, production, quality, and field issues; assess technical impact of post-release changes and required re-verification/re-validation.
- Partner with Quality, Operations, Procurement, Business Development/Sales, customers, and suppliers to align requirements and execute effective design transfer.
- Manage multiple projects, communicate status and technical risks, and ensure Engineering follows applicable ISO 9001/AS9100 design, document, configuration, and change-control requirements.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related Engineering discipline.
- 7+ years of experience in physical product design, development, integration, or production support, including technical lead, mentoring, or project-lead responsibility.
- Experience taking products from requirements/concept through prototype, test/verification, released configuration, and production or operational use.
- Strong working knowledge of engineering drawings/CAD product definition, GD&T/tolerance concepts, BOMs, materials/processes, and configuration/change control.
- Experience developing or reviewing test plans, acceptance criteria, qualification evidence, engineering analyses, and root-cause investigations.
- Strong engineering judgment, systems thinking, problem solving, project organization, and written/verbal communication skills.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, or another controlled/regulated product-development environment.
- U.S. citizenship required pursuant to applicable federal government contract requirements.
Preferred Experience- Fiber optic connectivity, MIL Circular/MT/MPO or related interconnects, cable assemblies, telecom hardware, ruggedized electronics, or electromechanical products.
- Defense, aerospace, naval/shipboard, or other mission-critical product-development programs.
- SolidWorks/AutoCAD and exposure to FEA/CAE, 3D printing, CMM/metrology, optical or RF test equipment, and environmental qualification testing.
- DFM/DFA and supplier/manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, stamping, plating, adhesives, and cable assembly.
- Military/industry standards such as MIL-STD, IEC, TIA, VITA/SOSA, or similar interface and compliance frameworks.
- Supplier qualification, alternate-source development, customer-facing design reviews, and technical proposal support.
Working EnvironmentPrimarily office-based with regular hands-on work in laboratory, prototype, and production environments. Occasional travel may be required for customer, supplier, external test, or program support.
Physical Requirements- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
- Standing, walking, and working in a manufacturing environment for extended periods
- Manual dexterity to handle small components and precision tools
- Visual acuity for inspecting fiber optic assemblies and reading technical drawings
- May require use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in designated areas
Employment is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice.
