Sr. Director, Machine Development Engineering - Optics
TE ConnectivityThe Opportunity Join TE Connectivity's fast-growing Optics organization and lead the team that designs and delivers precision manufacturing equipment for next-generation optical connectivity. This position will lead a unique disruptive manufacturing equipment that is solving the core performance and scalability challenges of CPO. Reporting to the VP and General Manager of Optics, you will lead the engineering organization that builds TE's proprietary precision assembly stations, with teams across machine architecture, precision mechanics and optomechanics, motion, robotics, controls, software, vision, sensing, metrology, tooling, integration, and commissioning. Own the full lifecycle of TE's internal precision stations - from architecture through design, build, validation, release, global replication, ramp, and continuous improvement. Your organization works as an internal station supplier to the manufacturing process team that industrializes the full cable assembly line. Product, process, equipment, test, quality, and operations teams co-develop from the earliest experiments through high-volume production. Why This Role Matters TE is scaling fiber-array assemblies, micro-optics, fiber-to-chip interfaces, optical connectors, and other advanced optical-packaging products. Growth depends on equipment that holds micron-level performance at production rates, balances flow, recovers from faults, captures the right data, and runs reliably in 24/7 factories. This role owns machine architecture, the process inside the machine, independent machine measurement and problem solving, machine industrialization, automation, software and controls, release, and replication. It works in tight iteration with manufacturing process development (line process and station requirements), Test & Metrology (reference methods and uncertainty), and Operations (daily performance) to create a scalable production system. WHO THIS ROLE IS FOR A precision-equipment leader who has shipped high-volume machines, learned from difficult launches, and can turn one successful machine into a controlled, repeatable platform. What You'll Build and Lead Station Strategy and Organization Own station strategy and make-or-buy input: Translate the station requirements set by the manufacturing process team into station architecture, automation level, cycle time, capacity, footprint, and capital plans, and recommend which stations TE should build in-house because they differentiate the product. Set platform strategy and standards: Define reusable architectures and standards for precision mechanics, optomechanics, motion, robotics, controls, safety, vision, sensing, software, data, machine metrology, tooling, documentation, and configuration management. Build the organization around scarce capabilities: Lead four teams organized by capability: advanced machine and process technology; systems and metrology, including a vision and sensing center of excellence; machine industrialization; and a dedicated software and controls team. Run the work through station core teams so specialists act as one team for each station. Job Requirements Precision Machine Development Lead the full machine lifecycle: Own requirements, concept selection, detailed design, design reviews, procurement and build, integration, debug, FAT/SAT, validation, release, and replication. Own the process inside the machine: Lead the technology groups that develop feed, weld and alignment, and laser processes; define their process windows and recipes; and stabilize them through design of experiments, so each station delivers the requirements the manufacturing process team sets. Engineer the physical system: Develop tooling, fixtures, precision structures, fiber and small-part handling, stripping, cleaving and welding, active alignment, robotics, laser processing, dispensing and cure, sensors, cameras, and in-process measurement hardware. Software, Controls, Measurement, and Safety Direct machine software and controls…