Optical Test & Validation Lab Manager

At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more connected world.

TE Connectivity is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Optical Test & Validation Laboratory Manager to lead all aspects of laboratory operations supporting the development, qualification, and validation of next-generation optical connectivity solutions for AI, hyperscale data centers, and high-performance computing applications.

This role is responsible for providing leadership for the Optical Test Lab, including laboratory personnel, equipment, safety programs, test execution, inventory management, reporting, and operational excellence initiatives. The successful candidate will ensure the laboratory delivers accurate, timely, and high-quality test results while maintaining compliance with company standards, industry requirements, and environmental, health, and safety regulations.

The Laboratory Manager will partner closely with Engineering, Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Program Management teams to establish testing priorities, allocate resources, drive continuous improvement, and support successful product launches.

Please note: Operations are currently based at a temporary site in Webster, NY. The team will transition to a permanent Rochester location (near RIC) upon completion.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of laboratory technicians and engineers supporting optical, environmental, and reliability testing.
• Manage daily laboratory operations, staffing, workload prioritization, and resource allocation to meet business objectives.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align testing activities with project timelines and customer requirements.

Safety, Compliance & Laboratory Governance

• Ensure compliance with TE Connectivity safety policies, OSHA regulations, and applicable industry standards.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce laboratory safety procedures and training programs.
• Conduct safety audits, risk assessments, and corrective actions while promoting a safety-first culture.

Optical Testing & Validation

• Oversee optical characterization and validation testing, including IL, RL, OBR, PER, beam quality (M²), and beam pointing measurements.
• Ensure testing is performed in accordance with approved methods, specifications, and industry standards.
• Review test results, provide technical guidance, and support product development with timely validation data.

Environmental & Reliability Testing

• Lead environmental and reliability testing programs, including HALT, HASS, thermal cycling, humidity, vibration, and mechanical stress testing.
• Ensure compliance with qualification standards and internal testing requirements.
• Support failure analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective action activities.

Laboratory Operations & Asset Management

• Manage laboratory equipment, infrastructure, inventory, and assets to ensure operational readiness and measurement integrity.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, upgrades, and vendor support.
• Develop capacity plans, manage laboratory budgets, and implement automation solutions to improve efficiency and throughput.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and track laboratory KPIs, utilization metrics, equipment performance, and testing throughput.
• Maintain accurate documentation, test records, calibration data, and compliance reports.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, scalability, and customer satisfaction.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Physics, Electronics Technology, Optics, or a related technical discipline.

• 10+ years of experience in optical testing, validation, reliability testing, or laboratory operations.

• 3+ years of experience leading technical teams, laboratories, or testing organizations.

• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory operations, personnel, equipment, and testing priorities.

• Working knowledge of TIA/EIA standards, optical connector technologies, and reliability testing methodologies.

• Experience establishing and enforcing laboratory safety and compliance programs.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of optical test methods including IL, RL, OBR, PER, beam characterization, and fiber optic connector validation.

• Experience managing environmental and reliability testing programs including HALT/HASS.

• Working knowledge of calibration systems, measurement uncertainty, and traceability requirements.

• Proficiency with optical power meters, OTDRs, spectrum analyzers, imaging systems, and automated test platforms.

• Experience with statistical analysis, data interpretation, and process capability measurement.

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing technical teams.

• Strong project planning, prioritization, and organizational skills.

• Experience managing budgets, laboratory assets, and inventory control systems.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Demonstrated success implementing operational improvements and driving laboratory performance metrics.

SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)

• Fiber optic certifications (CFOT, CPCT, or equivalent).

• Experience supporting data center, telecommunications, AI infrastructure, or passive optical product development.

• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or other laboratory automation tools.

• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent continuous improvement certification.

• Experience leading laboratory relocations, expansions, or facility startup activities.

#TANARJ #LI-ONSITE

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $164,900 – $247,400(subject to change dependent on physical location)

• Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. TE Connectivity reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualification of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

• Total Salary + Incentive(s) + Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and voluntary benefits.

EOE, Including Disability/Vets

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING RECRUITMENT FRAUD

TE Connectivity has become aware of fraudulent recruitment activities being conducted by individuals or organizations falsely claiming to represent TE Connectivity. Please be advised that TE Connectivity never requests payment or fees from job applicants at any stage of the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings are posted exclusively on our official careers website at te.com/careers, and all email communications from our recruitment team will come only from actual email addresses ending in @te.com. If you receive any suspicious communications, we strongly advise you not to engage or provide any personal information, and to report the incident to your local authorities.

TE Connectivity plc (NYSE: TEL) is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. As a trusted innovation partner, our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions enable the distribution of power, signal and data to advance next-generation transportation, energy networks, automated factories, data centers enabling artificial intelligence, and more.

Our more than 90,000 employees, including 10,000 engineers, work alongside customers in approximately 130 countries. In a world that is racing ahead, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).