Opto-Mechanical Engineer

TTM Technologies, Inc. – Publicly Traded US Company, NASDAQ (TTMI) – Top-5 Global Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer

About TTM

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.

Additional information can be found at www.ttm.com

We are seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer with deep expertise in the precision assembly, alignment, and characterization of discrete optical components at module scale. This role sits within our photonics manufacturing team and is focused on developing and scaling opto-mechanical assembly processes for next-generation optical modules in a high-volume manufacturing environment. The right candidate brings rigorous optical and mechanical engineering fundamentals combined with direct, hands-on experience building and aligning millimeter-scale photonic sub-assemblies — such as fiber optic transceivers, free-space optical modules, photonic integrated circuit (PIC) packages, or comparable precision photonics assemblies. This is a manufacturing-focused engineering role centered on process development, precision assembly, and optical performance characterization — not optical system design, large-aperture instrumentation, or defense/aerospace optical engineering. This individual is comfortable pioneering new opto-mechanical manufacturing capabilities, optimizing optical coupling and alignment performance, and collaborating across disciplines with internal engineering teams and external precision component vendors.

Key Responsibilities: Module-Scale Fixture & Tooling Design Design precision assembly fixtures and alignment tooling for millimeter-scale optical components — including guide pin registration fixtures, fiducial-alignment systems, precision reference datums, retention assemblies, adhesive dispensing fixtures, and pick-and-place tooling for photonic components. Apply kinematic constraint design principles throughout. Tolerance & Error Budget Analysis Perform worst-case and RSS tolerance stack-up analyses, quantifying contributions from mechanical, optical, and environmental sources. Translate optical performance requirements (insertion loss, coupling efficiency, beam pointing) into mechanical dimensional tolerances. Assembly Process Development Develop and optimize passive and active alignment assembly processes for opto-mechanical sub-assemblies. Define adhesive cure parameters (UV dose, thermal profile, shrinkage control), press-fit forces, and retention preloads. Characterize process capability (Cpk) for critical alignment dimensions to meet high-volume manufacturing yield targets. Optical Alignment & Characterization Characterize lateral and angular misalignment distributions in assembled opto-mechanical sub-assemblies using far-field beam profiling, interferometry, insertion loss measurement, or precision displacement metrology. Validate experimental results against analytical coupling loss and alignment sensitivity models. Incoming Component Inspection 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 tied directly to downstream optical performance requirements. Vendor Collaboration & Qualification Partner with precision optical component vendors on design-for-manufacturability (DFM), first-article inspection (FAI), and ongoing statistical process control. Review dimensional and optical measurement data against specifications; drive corrective actions where needed. Engineering Documentation & Standards Author engineering specifications, assembly SOPs, test procedures, and component qualification reports. Provide technical accuracy review of optical and mechanical specifications in engineering documentation, including patent-related technical disclosures. Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with process engineering on alignment station design, throughput modeling, and assembly process cost analysis. Support prototype and proof-of-concept build activities including component procurement, sub-assembly, and optical performance characterization.

Required Qualification:

• B.S. in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline with substantial optics and photonics coursework.
• 7+ years of hands-on opto-mechanical engineering experience in photonics product development, precision optical manufacturing, or optical instrumentation. (Master's degree candidates considered with 6+ years; Ph.D. candidates considered with 3+ years.)
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience assembling and aligning millimeter-scale discrete optical components in a manufacturing or product development environment — e.g., fiber optic transceivers, free-space optical modules, photonic integrated circuit (PIC) packaging, V-groove fiber arrays, APC connector assemblies, or comparable photonics sub-assemblies. This is the primary qualification filter for this role.
• Proven ability to perform optical-mechanical tolerance analysis and translate optical performance requirements into mechanical specifications.
• Experience developing or optimizing precision assembly processes with documented yield or capability outcomes (Cpk, first-pass yield, etc.).
• Ability to operate and interpret results from optical metrology tools — beam profilers, interferometers, optical power meters, or precision displacement sensors.
• Strong technical writing skills — ability to author clear assembly SOPs, component specifications, and qualification reports.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with adhesive process development for photonics applications — UV-cure and thermally-cured epoxies, shrinkage characterization, bondline control.
• Experience with precision optical component vendor interface — specification writing, first-article review, and supplier qualification.
• Familiarity with photonic integrated circuit (PIC) packaging or fiber-to-chip coupling assembly.
• Exposure to pick-and-place automation or semi-automated alignment station development for photonics manufacturing.
• Familiarity with optical simulation tools (Zemax/OpticStudio, FRED, or equivalent) to support alignment sensitivity modeling. (Note: simulation experience alone, without hands-on assembly experience, does not meet the requirements of this role.)
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and design of experiments (DOE) in a manufacturing context.

What This Role Is Not: To help qualified candidates self-select accurately, this role is not a fit for engineers whose primary background is in:

• Optical system or lens design (Zemax/CODE V as a primary skill)
• Large-aperture telescope, defense, or aerospace optical instrument engineering
• Academic or research photonics without manufacturing process development experience
• Mechanical engineering without direct optical or photonics assembly exposure

What Success Looks Like: Within the first 12 months, a successful candidate will have:

• Developed and characterized at least one new module-scale opto-mechanical assembly process with documented Cpk and yield data
• Established incoming inspection protocols for critical optical components
• Collaborated with at least one external precision optics vendor from specification through qualification
• Contributed to engineering documentation that supports both production scale-up and IP protection

#LI-CG1 #COMBU

Compensation and Benefits: TTM offers a variety of health and well-being benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, 401K, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, accident benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid vacation & holidays. Benefits are available 1st of the month following date of hire.

Compensation for roles at TTM Technologies varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set and level of experience. As required by local law, TTM provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in New York, California and Colorado. For California-based roles, compensation ranges are based upon specific physical locations.

Export Statement: Must comply with TTM Export Control Policies and Procedures and all applicable laws including ITAR, EAR and OFAC including but not limited to: a) being able to identify ITAR product on the manufacturing floor and understand that access to these products and related technical data is restricted to only US Citizens and US Permanent Residents; b) recognition of Foreign Person visitors by badge differentiation; c) understand and follow authorization procedures for bringing foreign visitors into facilities (VAL); d) understand the Export and ITAR requirements for shipments leaving the US; e) manage vendor approvals for ITAR manufacturing and services.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.