Lead Optical/Laser Manufacturing Engineer

Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Excelitas Technologies in Billerica, MA, is seeking a Principal Optical/Laser Manufacturing Engineer to drive advanced MEMS/optics manufacturing. This role serves as technical authority for the tunable laser module and associated processes, working with R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing to translate new ideas into scalable production.

You will mentor engineers, develop work instructions, lead root-cause analyses, and champion continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring safety and product

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Laser Engineering; MS/PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong working knowledge of optics, OCT or swept-source lasers, MEMS devices, or optoelectronic device processing.
• Hands-on skills with electro-optical equipment such as OSAs, oscilloscopes, and power meters preferred.
• Solid problem-solving skills based on DOE, characterization, and data analysis to drive process decisions.
• Proven experience mentoring or leading engineers and cross-functional technical teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with VB.NET, LabVIEW, and Power BI is a plus.
• Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Determine and specify the materials, equipment, and tooling required to meet manufacturing goals and product specifications.
• Drive efficiency across the manufacturing organization by directing analysis of equipment layout, workflow, assembly methods, and workforce utilization.
• Own the development of work instructions and training programs and mentor engineers and direct labor personnel on manufacturing processes.
• Lead yield and performance improvement initiatives for modules, systems and subcomponents, identifying systemic issues across product families.
• Serve as the technical authority for root cause analysis on the most complex manufacturing process issues and establish process controls that scale across product lines.
• Lead failure analysis efforts for optical modules, systems and subcomponents, including complex or first-of-kind failure modes.
• Implement and support effective SPC and continuous improvement programs.
• Lead multiple concurrent projects and represent manufacturing engineering in cross-functional discussions to ensure commitments are met and quality is maintained.
• Champion a safe work environment, proactively identifying and addressing risks before they become incidents.
• Partner with Operations to support production goals and long-term capacity planning.
• Support transfer of new products from R&D to manufacturing, including harmonization strategy with previously released products.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers.

Skills

Optics knowledge

OCT/swept-source lasers

MEMS devices

Electro-optical equipment

Mentoring / leadership

Communication skills

Six Sigma/Lean

Education

BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Laser Engineering

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

VB.NET

LabVIEW

Power BI

Job description

Excelitas Technologies in Billerica, MA, is seeking a Principal Optical/Laser Manufacturing Engineer to drive advanced MEMS/optics manufacturing. This role serves as technical authority for the tunable laser module and associated processes, working with R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing to translate new ideas into scalable production.

You will mentor engineers, develop work instructions, lead root-cause analyses, and champion continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring safety and product