Description

Introduction

The IBM Infrastructure team has an opening for an Optical Engineer specializing in fiber optics design, physics, interconnect, implementation, and integration into subsystems. The individual who is awarded this position will have the opportunity to work as part of a cross-functional team that characterizes and integrates industry standard optics hardware into IBM Systems hardware. This position requires a self-motivated and autonomous individual who is comfortable with engaging Electrical, Mechanical, Thermal, and Firmware disciplines as needed to solve complex, multi-faceted system integration challenges.

The responsibilities of this role include working closely with the I/O Hardware Architect to assess vendor optics technology, compatibility, and capability to work within future IBM products as well as leading data center connectivity research, development, and solutions within IBM. This person will also support Supply Chain Engineering and Procurement teams in overall optic technology strategy, supplier and technology selection, roadmap reviews, system application testing, and field/manufacturing related quality management. This role requires working closely with experts in Signal Integrity, Power Distribution, EMC / EMI, Thermal, and Mechanical engineering to solution IBM offerings.

The engineer in this role will drive and facilitate the specification, qualification, characterization, and verification of optical technologies, lead the optics related bring-up and failure analysis activities, and actively research the state-of-the-art optical technologies and industry trends with a focus on low cost, high-performance, supply chain resilient,

Your role and responsibilities

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the qualification, verification, and integration of optical technologies into IBM Z Systems

• Develop the optical technology roadmap for next generation IBM Z Systems offerings

• Lead an optics focused team of test engineers and lab technicians in a state-of-the-art optics lab through device qualification, characterization, and debug

• Manage critical failure analysis efforts related to optical technology and complementary hardware

• Work with optics and adapter vendors on new technology, quality improvement, and failure analysis

• Perform data analysis to identify relevant optical behavioral patterns in manufacturing and in field

• Lead optical modeling efforts with Signal Integrity teams and calculate link budgets

• Co-Lead a data center connectivity workgroup focused on industry trends and client solutions

• Stay current with emerging optical technologies and industry trends

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Bachelor of Science or Masters Degree in Optical Engineering, Photonic Engineering, or Electrical Engineering

• Prior industry or educational experience implementing optical technologies through research or product design

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Lab experience with optics, vendor management skills, leadership skills, time management skills, people skills, project management skills, data analysis, Python, optic simulation

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Systems helps IT leaders think differently about their infrastructure. IBM servers and storage are no longer inanimate - they can understand, reason, and learn so our clients can innovate while avoiding IT issues. Our systems power the world's most important industries and our clients are the architects of the future. Join us to help build our leading-edge technology portfolio designed for cognitive business and optimized for cloud computing.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

Job Title

Optics Engineer

Date posted

09-Jun-2026

Job ID

118797

City / Township / Village

POUGHKEEPSIE

State / Province

New York

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Onsite

Area of work

Infrastructure & Technology

Employment type

Regular

Contract type

Regular

Projected Minimum Salary per year

108,000.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

202,000.00

Position type

Professional

Travel required

Some travel may be required based on business demand

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No



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