Laser Processing Engineer

Coherent Corp.; Saxonburg (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is seeking an entry-level Laser Processing Engineer to design and optimize laser machining processes for high-end thermal management components.

This role offers hands-on experience in a fast-paced R&D environment and requires a technical BS/MS degree with laboratory/project experience. You will develop laser cut strategies, calibrate optical systems, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to drive design and optimization loops.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, physics, or related field.
• Experience with laser systems or lab project work preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize laser machining processes for thermal components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on design specs.
• Tune laser parameters for quality and throughput.
• Conduct experiments and analyze data for process improvement.
• Document process development and results.
• Stay current with laser technology advancements.
• Support manufacturing with troubleshooting.
• Ensure safety protocols during laser operations.
• Provide training to team members as needed.

Skills

Laser theory

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

Simulation software

Communication

Independent work

Learning agility

Manufacturing basics

Thermal management

Education

BS in Science or Engineering

MS or PhD preferred

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a Laser Processing Engineer, you will play a crucial role in our R&D department. Your primary responsibility will be to design and optimize laser machining processes for high-end thermal management components, ensuring efficient and effective solutions. This role is ideal for a recent graduate with a technical degree, offering an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and contribute to innovative projects.

Job Summary

As a Laser Processing Engineer, you will play a crucial role in our R&D department. Your primary responsibility will be to design and optimize laser machining processes for high-end thermal management components, ensuring efficient and effective solutions. This role is ideal for a recent graduate with a technical degree, offering an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and contribute to innovative projects.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and run laser cut strategies, optimizing for cut quality and material removal rate
• Create a preventative maintenance schedule for laser processing systems and address system faults and issues as they arise.
• Conduct metrology on sample cuts and verify conformance with product drawings
• Conduct thermal testing on prototype pieces, including but not limited to thermal test vehicle (TTV) testing, flow tests, pressure tests, etc.
• Align and calibrate laser optical system
• Calibrate and maintain laser galvo system
• Work with multi-disciplinary team to guide design and simulation optimization loops for channel geometry and features.

Education & Experience

Education: 4 year Science or Engineering Degree, BS minimum requirement. Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD. Experience: College science lab and engineering project experience.

Skills & Other Requirements

• High organization skills, motivation, good inter-personal skills for interfacing with customers and other departments.
• Good analytical skills for problem solving, good technical writing skills, and some computer programming skills.
• Strong physics understanding, therefore, able to do theoretical analysis, both optical and electrical.
• Concise report writing is also required to aid in communicating complex optical issues.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills
• Automation and scripting experience preferred
• Laser processing/material removal experience preferred but not required

Working Conditions

Office, general laboratory, high power laser operation

Physical Requirements

Office and general laboratory. Good laser safety and electrical safety practices are essential.

• Standing (hours per day): 2-3 hours
• Lifting (lbs.): up to 20 lbs solo and 50 lbs in a team lift
• Pushing/Pulling (lbs.): none
• Sitting (hours per day): 5-6 hours

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and COHERENT Corporate EHS standards. Good laser and electrical safety practices are essential.

Quality & Environmental Responsibilities

Responsible for all operations of optical design group which includes work distribution, organization, documentation, software selection, training, risk assessment design quality for entire group.

• Confidential Information: Often involved with proprietary information belonging to Coherent and its customers.
• Involved with assessing technical feasibility towards setting strategic direction of IR Engineering and NPI activities.

Contacts with Others

Contact with outside customers, by traveling overseas and domestically and by phone and written communications, regarding optical design and electro-optic design and support during the quotation, ordering, and post order support stages. Extensive interfacing with the sales department during the quotation of special optics and electro-optics. Strong interfacing with manufacturing and QA departments to solve design and manufacturing issues. Support documentation and filing of Coherent Patents and Trade Secrets. Training and mentoring other Coherent employees. Transfer of new products manufacturing and testing from prototype to production. Errors may result in manufacturing costs, scrapped parts and poor delivery to our customers. Engineer must possess ability for self monitoring and error checking so that errors are kept to a minimum.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent: Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust; Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas; Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome; Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone; Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement laser machining processes for thermal management components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand product requirements and design specifications.
• Optimize laser parameters and machining strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
• Conduct experiments and analyze data to improve process efficiency and quality.
• Document and maintain records of process development and optimization activities.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in laser technology and its applications.
• Support the manufacturing team in implementing and troubleshooting laser processes.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulations during laser processing.
• Provide technical support and training to other team members as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Strong knowledge of laser principles and applications, preferably with an understanding of mechanical components.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Proficiency in using relevant software for laser process simulation and design.
• Good communication and collaboration skills for effective teamwork.
• Ability to work independently and manage projects with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and industry trends.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes and quality control.
• Knowledge of thermal management principles is an asset.
• No prior experience is required, as this is an entry-level position.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It\'s an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.