Koch Industries

Principal Fiber Optic Connector Engineer

Koch Industries$150K — $200K *
Lisle, IL 60532In-Person
Telecommunications & Hardware
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • 15+ years of experience in fiber optic connector design and technical leadership
  • Proven track record in leading fiber connector technology roadmaps
  • Strong knowledge of MPO, MMC, and Lensed Connectors
  • Expertise in design validation plans and finite element analysis (FEA)
  • Experience with high-volume manufacturing processes like injection molding and die casting
  • Demonstrated ability to innovate and provide data-driven solutions

Responsibilities

  • Lead technology selection for next-generation fiber optic connectors
  • Explore new materials and manufacturing technologies
  • Optimize design and analysis tools to support product development
  • Develop proof-of-concept prototypes using rapid prototyping
  • Document and present POC results to internal and external teams
  • Engage with industry standards for fiber optic connectors
  • Collaborate with NPI teams to develop efficient, cost-competitive designs
  • Interface with cross-functional teams to drive project success

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Flexible spending and health savings accounts
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Generous retirement plan
  • Paid vacation and time off
  • Educational assistance programs
  • Paid parental leave and adoption assistance
Full Job Description
Your Job

Molex is seeking an innovative Principal Mechanical Engineer with strong fiber connectivity experience to join our R&D team. This team is responsible for the conceptualization of industry leading fiber optic connectors on rapidly growing markets in cloud computing, AI, and hyperscale applications. Our team is comprised of highly skilled professionals who thrive in an environment of constant learning and innovation. A successful applicant will have the ability to appropriately plan and see assignments through to completion with minimal direction, provide leadership to other team members; develop timing, meet project schedules, manage risks, and systematically solve problems of a complex scope.

What You Will Do

  • Lead the technology selection for next generation fiber optic connectors
  • Explore new materials & manufacturing technologies to enable the next generation of fiber optic connectors
  • Trial and optimize quick-turn design & analysis tools, disseminating knowledge and developing best practices to support data-driven product development
  • Utilize rapid prototyping methods to create Proof of Concept (POC) prototypes
  • Clearly document POC results for sharing to internal teams and for presentation to customers
  • Lead industry engagement on fiber optic connector standards
  • Collaborate with the manufacturing NPI teams to develop cost-competitive and creative concepts. Ensure designs are efficient to manufacture while meeting our high-performance market requirements
  • Interface with cross functional team members in signal integrity, manufacturing integration, product management, sales, state of the art test laboratories, on-premise model shop, and leadership teams
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing within and between cross functional teams via digital tools and interpersonal relationships
  • Create relationships with senior leadership, cross functional team members and peers through team building activities and growth opportunities operating as One Molex Team
  • Engage with external customers to develop next generation solutions that meets their needs
  • Provide advanced application and technical support to strategic customers


Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

  • Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering field
  • 15+ years experience in fiber optic connector design and development with proven technical leadership
  • Track record of leading fiber connector technology roadmaps
  • Strong understanding of MPO / MMC / Lensed Connectors
  • Experience defining, executing, and interpreting design validation plans & reports (DVP&R)
  • Familiarity with defining and interpreting Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Demonstrated utilization of statistical Tolerance Analyses
  • Design experience with high-volume products manufactured using a subset of the following processes: progressive die stamping, injection molding, die casting, insert molding, automated assembly
  • Proven track record of developing innovative solutions
  • Desire to learn, be challenged and interact in a cross functional team environment
  • A demonstrated ability to learn quickly and make logical, data-based decisions when presented with novel tasks and requirements


What Will Put You Ahead

  • 15+ years experience in electro-mechanical product design and development with proven technical leadership
  • Design experience with standard fiber connectors (MPO, MMC, LC) as well as lensed connectors (EBO)
  • Familiarity with correlating simulated results to measured test results
  • Experience with advanced parametric 3D CAD systems (NX, Creo, Solidworks, CATIA, etc.)
  • Knowledge of regulatory agency testing requirements (UL, CSA, EIA, etc.)
  • Good understanding and practical knowledge of Six Sigma quality development tools and principles (DOE, FMEA, etc.)
  • Expert in GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and concepts within industry
  • Experience with design & analysis of compliant mechanisms
  • Understanding and application of sound project management techniques managing projects to timelines, due dates and deadlines
  • History of working within an international organization and/or working with international suppliers & team members
  • Familiarity with data analysis tools such as Minitab


For this role, we anticipate paying $150,000 - $200,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

#LI-JM3

About Koch Industries

Koch Industries, Inc. is an American privately-held multinational conglomerate corporation based in Wichita, Kansas. Its subsidiaries are involved in the manufacturing, refining, and distribution of petroleum, chemicals, energy, fiber, intermediates and polymers, minerals, fertilizers, pulp and paper, chemical technology equipment, ranching, finance, commodities trading, and investing. Koch owns Infor, Invista, Georgia-Pacific, Molex, Flint Hills Resources, Koch Pipeline, Koch Fertilizer, Koch Minerals, Matador Cattle Company, i360, and Guardian Industries. The firm employs 120,000 people in 60 countries, with about half of its business in the United States. The company is the largest non-Canadian landowner in the Athabasca oil sands. With annual revenues of $110 billion by 2014, the company is the largest privately held company in the United States. In 2007, it was ranked as the largest privately held company. If Koch Industries had been a public company in 2013, it would have ranked 17th in the Fortune 500. The company was founded by its namesake, Fred C. Koch, in 1940 after he developed an innovative crude oil refining process. Fred C. Koch died in 1967 and his majority interest in the company was split amongst his four sons. In June 1983, after a bitter legal and boardroom battle, the stakes of Frederick R. Koch and William "Bill" Koch were bought out for $1.1 billion and Charles Koch and David Koch became majority owners in the company. Charles owns 42% of the company; trusts for the benefit of Elaine Tettemer Marshall and Elaine's children, Preston Marshall and E. Pierce Marshall Jr., own 16% of the company. The heirs of David Koch, who died on August 23, 2019, own the balance, 42%, of the corporation.
Learn more about Koch Industries
Industry
Founded
1940

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