Sr. Development Engineer, Controls

Role Purpose

Design, develop, improve and industrialize optical fiber manufacturing platforms (platform = process + equipment systems) for advanced glassmaking and fiber draw processes. Drive for root-cause understanding and translate into equipment, mechanical, and system-level design solutions for manufacturing platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or support design and development of equipment and subsystems (e.g., draw tower, furnace, coating systems)

• Integrate process requirements into mechanical and system-level equipment design

• Support prototype build, installation, debugging, and iteration in plant environment

• Understand current optical fiber process and equipment architecture

• Design and develop manufacturing platforms (process + equipment)

• Develop CAD-based designs (Autodesk Inventor preferred) including detailed drawings and assemblies

• Design mechanical structures, motion systems, and alignment systems

• Design and evaluate thermal systems (furnace interfaces, heating zones, insulation)

• Design and integrate fluid systems (gas delivery, vacuum, pumps, piping)

• Work with technicians to build, assemble, and debug equipment

• Lead prototype equipment validation and performance testing

• Analyze performance data and iterate design improvements

Experiences/Education - Required

• 5–10+ years of experience in equipment development, mechanical design, or manufacturing systems

• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and system design capability

• Proficiency in CAD tools (Autodesk Inventor preferred as OFC standard)

• Experience in industrial equipment or system design

• Solid understanding of mechanical structures, tolerancing, and assembly

• Knowledge of thermal systems, fluid systems, pumps, and piping design

• Hands-on experience in equipment build, troubleshooting, and debugging

• Ability to work closely with technicians in plant environment

• BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Physics, or related field

• Able to set long-term goals and define short-term execution plans

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously

• Strong collaboration skills in cross-functional global teams

• Proactive, self-driven, and ownership mindset in solving engineering problems

Experiences/Education - Desired

• Experience in optical fiber draw processes or similar high-temperature manufacturing systems
• Experience with equipment vendors and system integration
• Experience in prototype development and iterative engineering
• Strong ability to translate process needs into equipment design solutions