Koch Industries

Molex possesses a rich heritage in the optical industry. We provide the highest performing and field-proven wavelength management solutions, from components and modules to integrated line-cards. Continuous innovation in passive component function integration, miniaturization, and manufacturing automation, cutting edge WSS and amplification technology and comprehensive optical, mechanical, electrical and software design capabilities enable us 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 an experienced and technically accomplished engineer as a Design Authority to lead the design and development of our next generation of optical transceiver products. This role is responsible for ensuring that our designs meet functional, performance, reliability, compliance, and manufacturability goals across the product lifecycle—from concept through mass production. As the Design Authority, you will serve as the ultimate technical decision-maker and subject matter expert (SME), driving design coherence across multidisciplinary teams and ensuring that optical, electrical, mechanical, firmware, and test components integrate into a robust, compliant, and competitive product.

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. Join us in shaping the future of optical communication, from data centers and cloud networks to AI-scale infrastructure.

Some travel is required in this role.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the technical authority and final approver for optical transceiver product designs (e.g., 800G, 1.6T), ensuring system-level performance and cross-functional alignment.
• Define and maintain design rules, best practices, and technical standards for optical module development.
• Lead architecture reviews, design reviews, and technical risk assessments across all stages of development.
• Drive and validate design trade-offs involving photonics, electronics, mechanical integration, thermal performance, signal integrity, and manufacturability.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards (e.g., IEEE 802.3, OIF, MSA, Telcordia/GR-468) and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with hardware, optical, firmware, packaging, and test engineering teams to align on interface definitions and integration methodologies.
• Provide technical oversight on component selection, vendor qualification, and failure analysis activities.
• Champion design verification, validation, and qualification activities, ensuring comprehensive test coverage and reliability performance.
• Interface with product management, operations, and customers to translate system requirements into technical specifications and architecture.
• Mentor and guide senior engineers and project teams to build organizational technical strength.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• At least 10+ years of experience in optical transceiver development, with a demonstrable record of execution and technical accomplishment.
• Contributions to multiple product development cycles, ideally from concept through production.
• Expert knowledge of optical components (lasers, photodiodes, modulators), high-speed electrical design, test and manufacturing processes.
• Deep understanding of optical system performance metrics and test methodologies (e.g., OMA, ER, TDECQ, BER).
• Familiarity with transceiver form factors (e.g., QSFP-DD, OSFP, CFP2, CPO) and with IEEE 802.3, OIF and MSA standards.
• Experience with cross-disciplinary design integration, including mechanical, thermal, and signal/power integrity considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical decision-making across organizations, especially in complex, high-speed system environments.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Work with senior engineers and management to align on roadmaps and long-term technology direction.

For this role, we anticipate paying $200,000 - $275,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

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).