- Location
- Hickory, North Carolina, United States
- Department
- Connector Design (Jason's Team)
- Seniority
- Senior
- Experience
- 30+ years
- Visa
- Not sponsored
- Source
- Greenhouse
Description
US Conec, Ltd.
Engineering Innovation. Precision Plastics. Powering AI.
US Conec, Ltd. is a trusted, global company that prides itself on engineering excellence—creating innovative connectivity solutions that support today’s most important technologies. We foster a friendly, inclusive culture that values teamwork, creativity, and mutual respect. At US Conec, you’ll find real opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact in a company that genuinely cares about its people and its customers. With competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and a supportive environment, this is a place where you can build your future—whether your interests lie in manufacturing, engineering, operations, or beyond.
Senior Design/Development Engineer
Overview
At US Conec, we're proud to be a global leader in high-density fiber-optic connector solutions, with over 30 years of experience in precision engineering, injection molding, and plastics manufacturing. As a Senior Design/Development Engineer – Fiber Optic Connectors, you'll have the exciting opportunity to design and develop next-generation connector products, lead independent development projects, and mentor our talented technicians and engineers as we push the boundaries of optical performance together!
Responsibilities
- Design and develop fiber-optic connectors and their components using injection-molded parts, machined components, and 3D-printed prototypes.
- Plan, direct, and execute new product development and qualification projects, managing schedules, resources, and status reporting.
- Maintain project timelines and communicate progress through engaging meetings, informative reports, and dynamic presentations.
- Collaborate with our R&D technicians to conduct testing, data analysis, and thorough documentation.
- Analyze test results and technician feedback to iterate on design and process improvements.
- Coordinate with Product Management, Development, and Applications Engineering to deliver cost-effective solutions that truly meet our customer requirements.
- Provide valuable technical support to our Product Management, Sales, and Manufacturing teams on connector design, testing, and system performance.
- Maintain expertise in materials, injection-molding considerations, and industry processes.
- Develop and nurture strategic supplier relationships for new component and process development.
- Prepare conference papers or trade-journal articles on exciting new technologies and products.
- Maintain documentation for patent filings and act as the go-to technical resource for fiber, cable, connector, and hardware issues.
- Propose and champion innovative product ideas to expand US Conec’s connector portfolio.
- Use contact gauging equipment (calipers, micrometers), vision measurement systems, optical microscopes, and PC-based tools (MS Office) to validate and document designs.
Must Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in a related engineering role, with 3–5 years in the fiber-optic or communications systems industry (co-op and internship experience counts!).
- Proven ability to work independently, lead projects, and mentor technicians and engineers.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to organize and convey complex ideas succinctly.
- Proficiency with CAD software and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
- Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Strong PC skills, including Microsoft Office.
Nice to Haves
- Hands-on experience with fiber-optic (or copper) assemblies, connectors, and testing.
- Understanding of statistical analysis methods.
- Exposure to patent preparation and technical publications.
What We Offer
- A competitive base salary with performance-based bonus potential.
- Four weeks of PTO, plus paid holidays and community/STEM outreach days.
- Health, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match and planning resources.
- A collaborative, team-based culture that fuels innovation.
- Employee recognition programs celebrating your achievements.
- Career development opportunities and a supportive environment to grow your skills.
US Conec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.
US Conec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.
Join US Conec today and be part of a team that values each other, promotes innovation and growth, and strives to exceed customer expectations in everything we do.
US Conec is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics
