Principal Optical/Laser Manufacturing Engineer

Excelitas Technologies; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Excelitas Technologies in Billerica, MA seeks a Principal Optical/Laser Manufacturing Engineer to drive development and manufacturing of MEMS-based tunable laser modules and related optical engines. You will mentor engineers, analyze data, and lead cross‑functional initiatives to improve quality and throughput.

The role requires 10+ years in manufacturing engineering with strong optics/OCT knowledge, hands‑on test skills, and Six Sigma experience.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Laser Engineering; MS/PhD preferred and may substitute for experience.
• 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 optical test equipment such as OSAs, oscilloscopes, and power meters.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence leadership.
• Six Sigma/Lean experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Determine materials, equipment, and tooling to meet manufacturing goals and product specs.
• Drive efficiency by analyzing equipment layout, workflow, and assembly methods.
• Develop work instructions and training; mentor engineers and direct labor on processes.
• Lead yield and performance improvements for modules and subcomponents across product families.
• Serve as technical authority for root cause analysis and establish scalable process controls.
• Lead failure analysis for optical modules and related systems.
• Implement SPC and continuous improvement programs.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and represent manufacturing in cross‑functional discussions.
• Champion a safe work environment and address risks proactively.
• Partner with Operations for capacity planning and long‑term goals.
• Support transfer of new products from R&D to manufacturing, harmonizing with existing products.

Skills

Optics

OCT

MEMS

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Education

BS in Mechanical/ Electrical/ Optical/ Laser Eng

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

VB.NET

LabVIEW

Power BI

Six Sigma

Job description

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Principal Optical/Laser Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Billerica, MA, US, 01821

Job Function: Operations - Engineering

Job Country: United States

Job City: Billerica

Job Type: Regular Full Time

ENABLE your future through light.

Excelitas is a global technology leader with more than 7,500 employees, focused on delivering market-driven solutions to fulfill the illumination, optical, detection and imaging needs of OEMs and end-users across the biomedical, semiconductor, industrial, consumer products, scientific, security, defense and aerospace sectors.

ENGAGE with us today and make your contribution to the future! Join the team that leading technology companies turn to for cutting-edge photonic innovation. At Excelitas Technologies you are how we EXCEL.

Our facility in Billerica, Massachusetts is located in the metropolitan Boston area and specializes in the design and manufacturing of advanced photonics products based on MEMS and other micro‑scale optical devices. Our unique technology enables the highest system performance in the most compact and cost‑effective formats in a variety of applications.

This site's Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products are laser‑based imaging tools that have transformed ophthalmic care and made notable impacts on patients in cardiology, dermatology, oncology, gastroenterology, and other medical specialties.

We are presently seeking a Principal Optical/Laser Manufacturing Engineer that will make vital contributions to new technology and product development for our growing range of cutting‑edge optical engine products. This individual will serve as the technical authority for our tunable laser module and engine manufacturing processes, which utilize proprietary MEMS tunable optical devices and micro‑optics. Working closely with Quality Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, and Manufacturing, this role includes data tracking & analysis to drive continuous improvements to our manufacturing processes and capabilities, while mentoring engineers and acting as the escalation point for the most complex technical challenges.

Main 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 rather than isolated cases.
• 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 and leadership 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 at a strategic level to support production goals and long‑term capacity planning.
• Support the transfer of new products from R&D to manufacturing, including harmonization strategy with previously released products across the site or business unit.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior and mid‑level engineers and act as a subject matter expert resource across the organization.

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Laser Engineering; advanced degree (MS or PhD) preferred and may substitute for experience.
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong working knowledge of optics, OCT or swept‑source lasers, MEMS devices, or optoelectronic device processing required.
• Hands‑on skills with electro‑optical equipment such as optical spectrum analyzers (OSAs), oscilloscopes, and power meters preferred.
• Solid problem‑solving skills based on design of experiments, characterization, and data analysis methodologies to drive process decisions.
• Proven experience mentoring or leading engineers and cross‑functional technical teams, with or without direct reports.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to self‑direct, prioritize across multiple programs, and work with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with software‑based testing such as VB.NET and LabVIEW is a plus.
• Knowledge of Power BI is a plus.
• Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing experience is a plus.

Compensation

• Salary Range: $175,000 - $196,000 (depending on experience)

This position requires the use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

Visa sponsorship is not available for any position at Excelitas

Minorities/Females/Disability/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation

Excelitas is seeking leaders and innovators to join our global team!