Technical Manager Cable R&D

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, creating technologies that help the world communicate, compute, connect, and grow. From communications networks and data centers to advanced industrial and specialty applications, our teams develop solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more resilient connections around the world. The name Lightera combines “light” and “era” to represent a new era of connectivity made possible by light. It reflects our roots in fiber optics and our ambition to help shape a brighter, more connected future. At Lightera, we are creating brighter connections through innovation, expertise, and collaboration. Our principles, We Lead, We Learn, and We Care , guide how we work, solve problems, support one another, and serve our customers. Lightera is committed to safety of our employees and the communities where we operate. Working at Lightera Joining Lightera means working alongside people solving complex challenges in optical communications and connectivity. We offer opportunities to contribute, learn, develop your expertise, and help create technologies that connect people, businesses, and communities around the world. In addition, we offer competitive salaries and generous benefits programs including medical, dental, tuition reimbursement, and a matching 401(k) plan. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, Lightera operates globally, serving customers across communications, data center, industrial, medical, aerospace, defense, and other advanced technology markets. Lightera is part of the Furukawa Electric Group Technical Manager-Cable R&D Office: Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment utilizing typical office equipment and technology.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Technical Manager – Cable is responsible for leading the design, development, testing, and qualification of fiber-optic cable products and technologies. This position provides technical leadership and direction for assigned product development initiatives, ensuring solutions meet performance, quality, cost, reliability, and manufacturability requirements. Working collaboratively with R&D, Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and other cross‑functional teams, the Technical Manager will oversee engineering activities from concept through qualification and manufacturing implementation. The role combines specialized expertise in optical cable design, materials, and manufacturing processes with effective technical problem‑solving, project leadership, and continuous improvement.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead assigned fiber‑optic cable product and technology development initiatives, including design, development, testing, and qualification.. Provide technical direction for cable architecture, materials selection, design reviews, testing, and failure investigations; apply DOE, statistical analysis, modeling, and root‑cause methods to resolve technical challenges. Ensure cable designs and qualification activities meet customer requirements, performance, quality, cost, reliability, and manufacturability objectives, and applicable Telcordia, ICEA, TIA, IEC, UL, NEC, RUS, ASTM, and other relevant standards. Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers, scientists, and technicians supporting assigned initiatives; coordinate engineering activities and communicate technical priorities and expectations. Lead assigned development projects by defining scope, milestones, resource needs, risks, and timelines; track progress and communicate results, issues, and recommended actions to stakeholders. Collaborate with R&D, Product Management, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other cross‑functional teams to implement cable products in manufacturing and resolve technical, quality, cost, and manufacturability issues. Develop and maintain product specifications, bills of materials, drawings, design and test documentation, qualification plans, and manufacturing requirements. Evaluate emerging and competitive cable technologies to support assigned development initiatives and contribute to technology‑roadmap, invention‑disclosure, and intellectual‑property activities. Develop and improve high‑fiber‑count, high‑density, compact, flexible, and specialty cable architectures for outside plant, indoor, data center, and other applicable markets. Oversee feasibility studies, prototype builds, design verification, performance validation, customer qualification, scale‑up, and manufacturing implementation for assigned products. Evaluate and validate polymers, coatings, strength members, water‑blocking components, and other cable construction elements to improve performance, reliability, sustainability, cost, and manufacturability. Collaborate with optical fiber R&D teams to address fiber‑and‑cable compatibility, system performance, and environmental durability requirements. Provide technical recommendations on design alternatives, development feasibility, and project risks; elevate issues requiring cross‑functional or leadership decisions. Coordinate resources and priorities for assigned projects, monitor assigned project budgets, and identify continuous‑improvement opportunities in cable design, testing, and manufacturing processes. Support technical discussions with customers, suppliers, research institutions, and industry organizations to clarify requirements, resolve issues, and advance assigned development activities.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Materials, Polymer, Electrical, Optical, or Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering or scientific discipline; an advanced degree is preferred. Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in R&D, product engineering, or technology development within fiber‑optic cable, telecommunications cable, wire and cable, or a closely related engineered‑product industry, including at least 3–5 years of technical leadership, project leadership, or people‑management experience. Demonstrated success developing and commercializing products in a manufacturing environment and leading complex technical programs from concept through launch. Formal people‑management experience is required, including setting expectations, coaching performance, developing technical talent, and managing competing priorities. Advanced knowledge of optical cable construction, mechanical performance, environmental durability, optical fiber properties, materials and material interactions, product qualification, engineering documentation, and cable manufacturing technologies including extrusion, stranding, jacketing, and buffering. Preferred experience includes outside plant, indoor, data center, specialty, high‑density, or advanced optical cable architecture; advanced polymers; DOE, statistical analysis, FMEA, Lean or Six Sigma; customer‑facing technical support; patent development; and work in a global manufacturing or technology‑driven organization. Experience applying disciplined project‑management and product‑development methods, including Agile or Scrum where appropriate, to achieve development lead‑time, milestone, and commercialization commitments.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Demonstrated strategic thinking, technical leadership, talent development, project and execution excellence, analytical problem‑solving, risk assessment, business acumen, customer focus, cross‑functional influence, clear communication, and continuous‑improvement orientation. Ability to interpret technical specifications, drawings, test data, industry standards, and customer requirements and communicate decisions clearly. Ability to work effectively in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments and interact with production equipment, prototype builds, and product‑testing activities. Domestic and international travel may be required to Company manufacturing locations and other facilities, supplier and customer sites, research institutions, technical conferences, and industry events. Performance may be evaluated based on execution of development milestones and commercialization objectives; delivery of products and technologies aligned with business and customer requirements; improvements in performance, reliability, manufacturability, sustainability, and cost competitiveness; innovation and intellectual‑property development; successful manufacturing transfer; resolution of complex technical challenges; cross‑functional collaboration; and team performance, talent development, and technical capability advancement. .

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. Protect confidential and proprietary information and exercise professional judgment. Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and Standards of Conduct. Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan) for this position Note: Only those candidates selected for the interview process will be contacted Lightera is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability Location(s) 1 Brightwave Blvd, Carrollton , Georgia 30117 , United States Position Type Full-time Employee Class Regular Employee #J-18808-Ljbffr Lightera