Opto-Mechanical Engineer

TTM Technologies•Stafford Springs, CT

About The Position

TTM Technologies, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of technology products, including mission systems, radio frequency (“RF”) components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and technologically advanced printed circuit boards (“PCB”s). TTM stands for time-to-market, representing how TTM's time-critical, one-stop design, engineering and manufacturing services enable customers to reduce the time required to develop new products and bring them to market. We are seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer with rigorous optical and mechanical engineering fundamentals and hands-on experience in the precision assembly, alignment, and characterization of discreet optical components including micro-optics at module scale. The right candidate is comfortable developing new-to-world opto-mechanical manufacturing capabilities and technologies for high volume manufacturing, analyzing and optimizing optical performance, and collaborating across domains with internal engineering and with external vendors.

Requirements

B.S. in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline with substantial optics and photonics coursework.
3–10 years of hands-on opto-mechanical engineering experience in precision manufacturing, photonics product development, or optical instrumentation.
Demonstrated experience in the assembly and alignment of systems similar to; discrete optical components at module scale — fiber optic transceivers, free-space optical modules, precision optical instruments, or comparable millimeter-scale opto-mechanical assemblies. Note: this is an emerging application area; directly analogous module-scale assembly experience is valued over any single industry background.

Nice To Haves

Experience with precision optical component vendor interface — specification writing, first-article review, and qualification — preferred.
Experience with adhesive process development - preferred.

Responsibilities

Design precision assembly fixtures and alignment tooling for millimeter - scale optical components-guide pin registration fixtures, fiducial-alignment systems, precision reference datums, retention assemblies, adhesive selection and adhesive dispensing fixtures. Apply kinematic constraint design principles.
Perform worst case and RSS tolerance stack-up analysis - quantifying contributions from mechanical, optical and environmental causes.
Develop and optimize passive alignment assembly processes for opto-mechanical sub-assemblies. Define adhesive cure parameters (dose, shrinkage control), press-fit forces, and retention preloads. Characterize process capacity (Cpk) for critical alignment dimensions.
Collaborate with precision optical component vendors on design-for-manufacturability, first article inspection, and ongoing process control. Review vendor dimensional and optical measurement data against specifications.
Characterize lateral and angular misalignment distributions in assembled opto-mechanical sub-assemblies using far-field beam profiling, interferometry, or precision displacement measurement. Validate experimental results against analytical loss models.
Develop incoming inspection protocols for precision optical components - mirror angle, reference surface geometry, guide pin hole position and diameter, lens surface form, and bore position accuracy. Define sampling plans and accept/reject criteria appropriate to downstream optical performance requirements.
Provide technical accuracy review of optical and mechanical specifications in engineering documentation, including patent-related technical disclosures.
Collaborate with process engineering on alignment station design, throughput modelling, and assembly process cost analysis.
Support prototype and proof of concept build activities - component procurement, sub-assembly, and optical performance characterization.
Author engineering specifications, assembly SOP's, test procedures, and component qualification reports.
Assisting with optical simulation testing.