Abstract: The present invention discloses a substantially co-linear header 100 for the alignment and packaging of an optoelectronic device 503 on an optical header with an optical fiber mounted in an optical fiber sleeve 101. The substantially co-linear arrangement of the optical sleeve with the integrally molded lens member 102 and the optoelectronic device 503, enables good performance characteristics through the elimination of reflective and refractive surfaces as disclosed in the prior art. Furthermore, the overall cost of assembly as well as of the materials required to effect the package of the present disclosure is substantially reduced over conventional design. The final result is a packaged optoelectronic device which is passively aligned to an optical fiber to effect optical communication therebetween a substantially reduced cost and improved performance characteristics.