Sr Principal Hardware Engineer - Opto-Electronics

We have a rich heritage in the optical industry and have experienced tremendous growth. We provide a robust optical solutions portfolio to serve the needs of high-density, high-bandwidth, and flexible optical networks of telecom, datacom, hyperscale datacenter and supercomputing.


About the Role

Molex is seeking a very experienced Senior Principal Hardware Development Engineer as a senior member of our technical staff contributing to design decisions for advanced optical transceivers used in next-generation data center and telecom networks. This hands-on role requires deep technical expertise in optical transceiver architecture, component integration, and system-level performance, with a strong emphasis on innovation, reliability, and manufacturability. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in our organization and will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative and innovative engineering environment.

Some travel is required in this role.

What You Will Do

• Provide critical contributions to the architecture, design, and validation of advanced optical transceiver modules (e.g., QSFP-DD, OSFP) supporting data rates of 800G, and higher.
• Responsible for the integration and bring-up of new optical transceiver designs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including optics, mechanical, firmware, and system integration to ensure performance and compliance with industry standards.
• Define and drive transceiver-level characterization and validation.
• Act as a technical mentor and thought leader within the organization.
• Collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to understand requirements and provide technical leadership.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• At least 10 years of hands-on hardware design experience
• At least 5 years focused on coherent and/or PAM4 optical transceivers.
• Proficient in lab testing and characterization using OSA, BERT, OMA, eye diagram analysis, power meters, etc.
• Experience automating measurements using C# or Python
• Familiarity with industry requirements such as IEEE and OIF
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills

What Will Put You Ahead

• Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical field

For this role, we anticipate paying $180,000 - $280,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

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 .

Who We Are


At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

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.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).