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Advanced Development Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ozlo

$140K - $160K/yr

... an Advanced Development group that will pave the way for our future! The skill sets we expect are that of a senior level electrical engineer, but added to that you're required to take risks, be ...

Ozlo

$118K - $153K/yr

What's in it for you: We're building an Advanced Development group that will pave the way for our future! The skill sets we expect are that of a senior level electrical engineer, but added to that ...

Xbow

Technical Program Manager (Advanced Development)

Luling, TX · On-site +1

$105K - $135K/yr

Our team of innovative engineers, technicians and scientists is committed to pushing the boundaries ... The Advanced development organization is the custodian for all IRAD funds, supporting established ...

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Advanced Development Engineer information

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$49K

$96.2K

$153.5K

How much do advanced development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for advanced development engineer in the United States is $96,155.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an advanced development engineer do?

An Advanced Development Engineer is responsible for researching, designing, and developing new products or technologies, often working on innovative projects that are in the early stages of development. They bridge the gap between research and production by evaluating technical feasibility, building prototypes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring ideas to reality. Their work often involves identifying emerging technologies, improving existing products, and solving complex engineering problems to give their company a competitive edge.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an advanced development engineer?

To thrive as an Advanced Development Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, advanced problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, prototyping technologies, and sometimes certifications in areas like Six Sigma or project management are commonly required. Strong creativity, communication, and collaboration skills set top performers apart in this innovative role. These competencies are crucial for developing cutting-edge solutions, working effectively with cross-functional teams, and driving projects from concept to implementation.

What are some common challenges faced by advanced development engineers when transitioning ideas from concept to prototype?

Advanced Development Engineers often encounter challenges in bridging the gap between innovative concepts and workable prototypes. These can include aligning ambitious ideas with practical technical constraints, securing resources for experimental projects, and iterating quickly to test feasibility. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as design, manufacturing, and product management—is crucial for overcoming these hurdles, as it ensures concepts are both innovative and manufacturable. Being adaptable, open to feedback, and proactive in problem-solving are key traits for success in this dynamic environment.

What is the difference between Advanced Development Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectAdvanced Development EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, specialized certifications often preferredBachelor's or higher in mechanical engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch and development labs, product innovation teamsDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, prototyping labs
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, automotive, aerospace, R&D firmsManufacturing, automotive, industrial equipment sectors
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding advanced engineering roles, R&D positionsDesign-focused roles, product development

The Advanced Development Engineer typically focuses on innovative research, prototyping, and developing new technologies, often working in R&D environments. In contrast, a Mechanical Design Engineer primarily concentrates on designing and refining mechanical components and systems for manufacturing. While both roles require strong engineering credentials, the Advanced Development Engineer emphasizes innovation and experimental work, whereas the Mechanical Design Engineer emphasizes practical design and production readiness.

What states have the most Advanced Development Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Advanced Development Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Advanced Development Engineer jobs?

For Advanced Development Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Advanced Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Advanced Development Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,155 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Vice President of Advanced Development

Lisle, IL • On-site

Koch Industries
Oil and Gas Extraction • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Koch Industriesexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Recruit, develop, and lead a global, multidisciplinary R&D and process engineering organization supporting product and manufacturing development.

  • Lead advanced product and process engineering for next-generation connectors and ferrule technologies, and prepare the technology roadmap for market evolution.

  • Partner with cross-functional teams and engage with customers to align development efforts, capture requirements, and convert opportunities into design wins.

Koch Industries rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 547 rated manufacturers

Job description

Vice President, Advanced Development - Optical Connectivity Group (OCG)
Location- Flexible - based near Molex manufacturing facilities or development centers; frequent travel to global sites and customer locations expected
Job Summary
Molex is seeking a seasoned technology and people leader to build and lead a global Advanced Development organization within the Optical Connectivity Group. The VP will recruit and develop top engineering talent across product and process development, enable rapid technology pivots (connectors, ferrules, ferrule-less approaches), and scale manufacturing readiness from advanced prototypes through high-volume production (HVM). This role requires deep optical interconnect and manufacturing expertise, strong cross-functional collaboration with product, process, optoelectronics, silicon photonics, MEMS, med-tech and customer teams, and active industry engagement to convert customer requirements into design wins.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Building
  • Recruit, develop, and lead a global, multidisciplinary R&D and process engineering organization supporting product and manufacturing development.
  • Establish clear goals, KPIs, and career development plans to build a high-performing advanced development team.

Product & Process Development
  • Lead advanced product and process engineering for next-generation connectors and ferrule technologies (including physical contact, lensed, fiber-to-chip, and novel ferrule approaches).
  • Prepare the technology roadmap to pivot to alternative connector/ferrule technologies as market needs evolve.

Manufacturing, Scale & Metrology
  • Improve organizational competence and capability for multi-cavity precision molding, metrology, and scaled production.
  • Develop point-of-view (POV) and roadmap for HVM FAU manufacturing, including alternate manufacturing approaches and automated assembly technologies.

Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Partner with OCG connector teams to align the advanced development roadmap with product strategy and deliverables.
  • Collaborate across Molex: Teramount (fiber connector technology), optoelectronics (next-gen transceiver interfaces), silicon photonics (fiber-to-PIC), WLM (MEMS switching), and Med Tech (mixed-media connectivity for optics, power, sensing, fluids).

Customer & Market Engagement
  • Engage directly with hyperscale and OEM customers to capture interconnect requirements, translate them into the advanced development roadmap, and convert opportunities into design wins.
  • Provide technical leadership during customer engagements and design reviews.

Industry Leadership & Standards
  • Lead and coordinate Molex participation in industry ecosystems, MSAs/standards groups, trade shows, and technical conferences.
  • Develop and publish white papers and technical content to raise Molex's industry profile.

Program & Portfolio Management
  • Drive cross-functional programs from technology concept through productization, ensuring alignment of engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and business objectives.
  • Manage technology risk, IP strategy, and timelines to enable commercial launches.

Required Qualifications
  • Proven leadership experience (typically 12+ years) in advanced development, product engineering, or manufacturing leadership roles; 5+ years managing global teams at senior/director/VP level.
  • Deep technical expertise in fiber optic interconnects, connectors and termination technologies for SMF, PMF, multi-core and hollow-core fiber; familiarity with lensed, physical-contact, and fiber-to-chip interfaces.
  • Hands-on experience with precision molding (multi-cavity), metrology, assembly automation, and scaling to high-volume production.
  • Demonstrated experience working with hyperscale, cloud, or OEM customers and converting requirements into design wins.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and experience coordinating product, process, optoelectronics, silicon photonics, MEMS and med-tech stakeholders.
  • Technical degree (BS required; MS/PhD preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
  • Excellent communication skills, demonstrated industry presence, and the ability to represent Molex at technical conferences and standards bodies.
  • Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience with Silicon Photonics integration and PIC-to-fiber interfaces.
  • Experience with MEMS switching technologies and mixed-media (optical/electrical/fluids) connectivity solutions.
  • Track record of building manufacturing-ready technologies (HVM) from prototype stage.
  • Experience with Teramount-style technologies, optical ferrule innovation, or other novel interconnect approaches.
  • Established industry relationships with hyperscalers, OEMs, or standards organizations.

What Success Looks Like
  • Global advanced development team recruited and operating with clear priorities and metrics.
  • Roadmap defined and aligned with OCG product strategy covering next-gen connector/ferrule and fiber-to-chip technologies.
  • Demonstrable improvements in precision molding and metrology capability and a validated POV for HVM FAU and automated assembly.
  • Active customer engagements resulting in prioritized design-win opportunities.
  • Visible Molex contributions to industry forums, standards work, and technical publications.

For this role, we anticipate paying $275,000 - $325,000 per year base salary. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.
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 ).

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