Manufacturing Lead - (C Shift: Thurs-Sat bi-Wed 5A-5:15P)

nLIGHT; Camas (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

nLIGHT in Camas, WA is seeking a Manufacturing Lead to drive daily production and ensure on-time assembly of laser devices. You will supervise shifts, optimize WIP, and mentor team members while maintaining safety and quality standards.

The role requires hands-on experience with assembly, lean manufacturing, and strong problem-solving abilities; overtime is expected to meet schedules and production targets, with competitive pay and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in assembly, functional testing, and quality performance checks.
• Ability to read safety rules and operating instructions.
• Proven problem-solving and independent work skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage WIP movement across shift to align with projections.
• Lead shift production objectives and monitor machine and staff performance.
• Collaborate with supervisor and leads to meet production schedules.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Lean manufacturing

5S

Microsoft Excel

Overtime readiness

Tools

Dynamics AX

Job description

Who We Are

At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a massively growing market. We are a leading provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications, to name a few. Our lasers are changing not only the way things are made, but also changing the things that can be made.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

The Manufacturing Lead is someone who thrives on challenge and continually looks for opportunities to learn. This role is responsible for ensuring production assembly cell is actively engaged to meet daily customer demand and production schedule. The Manufacturing Lead provides effective training to the assembly cell as needed and ensures safety and quality standards are maintained at all times. The Manufacturing Lead may provide up to 50% direct labor contribution to assemble products using a variety of hand tools, fixtures, mechanical work instructions and test equipment to perform a series of operations to correctly assemble/test complex laser devices and/or systems.

Schedule: C Thursday-Saturday bi-Wednesday 5A-5:15P

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Responsible for ensuring all WIP movement across shift is in line with projections
• Leads shift production objectives by monitoring machine and personnel performance continually throughout shift
• Works with supervisor and other team leads to manage and prioritize work assignments to ensure production schedules are met
• Participates in staffing projections
• Launches the work shift in accordance with effective resourcing and productivity requirements
• Participates and/or leads cross shift turnover meetings to ensure smooth transition between shifts
• Fosters a positive work environment for employees
• Advises Supervisor of front-line performance and attendance issues
• Is sensitive to, and proactively supports the maintenance of a harassment/discrimination-free environment
• Drives escalation process on any item causing production slow down or stoppage
• Identifies and supports continuous improvement efforts with Supervisor
• Sustains and drives Lean manufacturing and 5S activities
• Suggests and implements cost-saving ideas
• Reports and assists Supervisor in the investigation all safety incidents, participates in site safety committee
• Acts with integrity and honesty while promoting the nLight culture
• Performs related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience at nLIGHT as a Manufacturing Specialist or equivalent combination of relevant experience and education
• Hands-on assembly, precision fabrication, and product quality performance testing experience
• Ability to work a reasonable amount of overtime as required to meet production output schedules
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Basic understanding of computers and Local Area Network navigation
• Basic math skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to communicate effectively through oral and written communications
• Ability to analyze and solve problems independently
• Ability to work with others collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills

Preferred:

• 1+ years of experience as a manufacturing Lead in a semiconductor environment is a plus
• Experience leading teams or projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong inter-personnel skills with employees of differing cultural, language, and educational backgrounds
• Laser device and component manufacturing experience
• Lean manufacturing and continual process improvement experience
• Dynamics AX software proficiency experience strongly desired

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay depends on qualifications.

• Starting level and pay depends on qualifications:
• Manufacturing Lead - starts $24.45per hour to $33.00 per hour
• Shift differentials are paid at the rate of 10% for hours worked between 5:30PM and 12:00AM and at 15% for hours worked between 12:00AM and 5:30AM
• Target Cash Bonus with potential payout of up to 2% of earned wages
• 120 hours of paid Vacation per year, plus paid Sick Leave and 10 paid Holidays
• Eligible for health benefits on the 1st day of the month after your start date
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave Pay
• Tuition Assistance
• Pet Insurance

nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. To qualify for this position, you must be a US Person (that is, a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status).

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

E-Verify Participation:
nLIGHT participates in the E-Verify program. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

• E-Verify Participation Poster
• Right to Work Poster