Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Fiber Test Equipment

About Tempo Communications

Tempo Communications is a leading designer and manufacturer of test and measurement instruments for the global telecommunications industry. Our product portfolio spans fiber optic test equipment, copper network analyzers, cable locators, and installation tools trusted by field technicians, network engineers, and service providers worldwide. We are committed to engineering excellence, continuous innovation, and delivering reliable solutions that keep the world connected.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer to join our Fiber Optic Test Equipment product line. In this role, you will serve as the technical authority for optical characterization processes and fiber test methodologies on the manufacturing floor. You will collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, and Production teams to transition new fiber test products from development into high-volume manufacturing, ensure ongoing process integrity, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance yield, throughput, and measurement accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

Optical & Fiber Test Engineering

• Define, develop, and validate manufacturing test processes for fiber optic products, including OPM (Optical Power Meter), SLS (Stabilized Light Source), OLTS (Optical Loss Test Set), VFL (Visual Fault Finder), and OTDRs (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer).
• Establish test limits, acceptance criteria, and measurement uncertainty budgets for all fiber-related production tests, ensuring compliance with industry standards (TIA, IEC, ITU-T).
• Design, specify, and qualify production test fixtures and automated optical test stations; oversee calibration, traceability, and maintenance programs for all fiber test equipment on the floor.
• Develop and maintain Manufacturing Test Procedures (MTPs) and Test Plans for fiber products; ensure documentation is current and accessible to production and quality teams.
• Investigate and resolve measurement anomalies, test escapes, and optical performance failures, using root cause analysis tools (8D, Ishikawa, FMEA) to drive permanent corrective actions.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Partner with R&D and Product Line Management during design phases to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) input specific to fiber optic assemblies and electro-optical subsystems.
• Lead the manufacturing readiness review process for new fiber test products, including process FMEA, control plan development, and first article inspection coordination.
• Create production Work Instructions according to assembly requirements specified in released documentation.
• Establish and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for critical optical parameters; develop SPC monitoring plans for ongoing production.

Continuous Improvement & Production Support

• Identify and lead yield improvement projects for fiber optic assemblies and electro-optical subassemblies; use data-driven analysis to reduce test cycle times and non-conformance rates.
• Support failure analysis of returned fiber test instruments; provide technical input to engineering and QA departments.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of current fiber test equipment technologies (OTDRs, optical power meters, light sources, VFLs) and track emerging industry standards that may impact test requirements.
• Provide technical mentorship and training to manufacturing technicians on fiber test methodologies, handling procedures for fiber-optic connectors and assemblies, and safe laser operation practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 5–15 years of manufacturing engineering experience with a strong focus on fiber optic test equipment, electro-optical systems, or photonics instrumentation.
• Deep hands-on expertise with fiber test instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying fiber optic test standards: TIA-568, TIA-526, IEC 61300 series, and ITU-T G.650/G.651/G.652.
• Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC), measurement systems analysis (MSA/Gauge R&R), and DOE methodologies applied to optical measurement processes.
• Experience developing automated test systems using LabVIEW, Python, or equivalent test automation frameworks; familiarity with instrument control via GPIB, USB-TMC, or Ethernet (SCPI/VISA).
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, thorough engineering documentation: process specifications, test procedures, control plans, and failure analysis reports.
• Working knowledge of fiber optic connector types (LC, SC, FC, MPO/MTP), connector polish types (PC, UPC, APC), and fiber types (SMF, MMF, PM fiber).
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills; experience with root cause analysis methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, and fishbone analysis.