Process Engineer

Lumibird USA; West Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumibird USA is seeking a Process Engineer for its West Springfield, MA site. The role develops, transfers and improves fiber laser manufacturing processes, working hands‑on on the production floor to build and validate lasers and subassemblies, create SOPs, and establish robust process controls.

You will collaborate with R&D, engineering, and production teams on process qualification, setup, and continuous improvement to deliver reliable, high‑quality laser products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Optical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in process/manufacturing engineering in a technical manufacturing environment.
• Experience in fiber lasers/photonics is strongly preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, qualify, implement, monitor, and improve manufacturing processes for fiber laser products and subassemblies.
• Establish and maintain robust processes for fiber preparation including stripping, cleaning, cleaving, fusion splicing, splice protection, routing, and assembly.
• Support and improve laser cavity and optical/electrical/mechanical assembly, testing, calibration, and performance.
• Transfer new products and processes from R&D into production with manufacturing readiness, BOMs, routings, tooling, and SOPs.
• Spend significant time on the production floor building, evaluating, and troubleshooting fiber lasers and subassemblies.
• Create and revise SOPs, work instructions, and process specifications from direct knowledge.
• Define critical process parameters, process windows, in‑process controls, and required documentation.
• Plan and execute process qualifications, validations, DOE, process capability, and SPC as appropriate.
• Develop PFMEAs and manufacturing control plans.
• Monitor metrics like yield, scrap, cycle time; drive quality and cost improvements.
• Lead root‑cause investigations and corrective actions; support ECOs and design for manufacturability.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing

Troubleshooting

DOE

SPC

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional communication

Training production staff

Reading engineering drawings

ERP systems knowledge

LabVIEW

Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Optical/Manufacturing Engineering

2+ years in process/manufacturing engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

SQL

ERP systems

Job description

Drawing on 50 years of experience, Lumibird designs, manufactures, and distributes laser solutions for scientific, industrial, and medical use from its various sites in the USA and abroad (France, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, etc.). Distinguished by its expertise, numerous patents, steady growth, and a workforce spanning roles from production operators to research scientists, the Lumibird Group currently employs over 1,000 people worldwide. Firmly committed to sustainable development, the Lumibird Group contributes to the ecological and social transition by implementing an ambitious CSR policy.

To support our expanding operations, we are currently seeking candidates for our West Springfield, Massachusetts site.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Process Engineer is responsible for the development, transfer, control, and continuous improvement of fiber laser manufacturing processes. The role has approximately equal responsibility for transferring new products and processes from R&D into production and for sustaining and improving released products. This is a hands‑on position that spends significant time on the production floor, builds and troubleshoots fiber lasers and subassemblies, develops manufacturing procedures from direct technical knowledge, and establishes effective process controls. Key process areas include fiber preparation, stripping, cleaving, fusion splicing, fiber‑component processing, laser assembly and performance, electrical and mechanical assembly, and manufacturing yield.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but is expected to provide technical leadership, training, and certification of production employees.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, document, qualify, implement, monitor, and improve manufacturing processes for fiber laser products and subassemblies.
• Establish and maintain robust processes for fiber preparation, including coating removal/stripping, cleaning, cleaving, fusion splicing, splice protection, fiber routing, and fiber-component assembly.
• Support and improve laser cavity and optical assembly, electrical and mechanical assembly, laser testing, calibration, and product performance processes.
• Transfer new products and processes from R&D into production by establishing manufacturing readiness, process flow, BOMs, routings, tooling, fixtures, work instructions, control plans, acceptance criteria, and training requirements.
• Spend significant time on the production floor and independently build, evaluate, and troubleshoot fiber lasers and subassemblies to validate processes and resolve manufacturing issues.
• Create and revise standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, workmanship standards, and process specifications based on direct process knowledge and hands‑on experience.
• Define critical process parameters, process windows, in‑process controls, inspection points, and required manufacturing records.
• Plan and execute process qualifications, validations, design of experiments (DOE), process capability studies, and statistical process control (SPC), as appropriate to the process and risk.
• Develop and maintain process failure mode and effects analyses (PFMEAs) and manufacturing control plans.
• Monitor and analyze first‑pass yield, scrap, rework, cycle time, labor hours, throughput, and other manufacturing metrics; lead actions to improve quality, consistency, productivity, and cost.
• Lead or support root‑cause investigations, NCR/MRB activities, corrective actions, and verification of corrective‑action effectiveness.
• Support engineering change orders (ECOs) by assessing manufacturing impact, implementing approved changes, updating affected documentation and training, and verifying post‑implementation effectiveness.
• Work with R&D and design engineering on design for manufacturability, assembly, testability, cost, serviceability, and process robustness.
• Specify, evaluate, and justify manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and process improvements; coordinate implementation and maintenance requirements with Operations.
• Maintain accurate manufacturing master data and controlled documentation, including BOMs, routings, process flows, work instructions, and workmanship standards.
• Train and certify new and existing production employees on controlled manufacturing processes and maintain training effectiveness.
• Coordinate with the Test Engineer on test methods, data collection, and manufacturing test improvements; automated test development is beneficial but is not a primary responsibility.
• Perform engineering activities in accordance with ISO 9001, company procedures, engineering principles, customer requirements, and applicable specifications.
• Participate in internal Quality Audits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Strong hands‑on manufacturing and troubleshooting ability, including the ability to build and evaluate fiber laser assemblies and related optical, electrical, and mechanical subassemblies.
• Practical knowledge of optical‑fiber preparation and processing, including stripping, cleaning, cleaving, fusion splicing, splice protection, and fiber routing.
• Ability to convert technical knowledge into clear, controlled SOPs, work instructions, process specifications, and workmanship standards.
• Knowledge of process development and control methods, including DOE, SPC, process capability, PFMEA, control plans, validation, and root‑cause analysis.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing data and convert yield, scrap, rework, cycle‑time, and performance trends into effective improvement actions.
• Strong problem‑solving, technical judgment, project management, and cross‑functional communication skills.
• Ability to train, evaluate, and certify production employees on controlled processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, process documentation, and engineering changes.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with LabVIEW, Python, SQL, automated data acquisition, or manufacturing test systems is beneficial but not required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Optical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering field required.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, new product introduction, or production support in a technical manufacturing environment.
• Experience in fiber lasers, lasers, optics, photonics, fiber‑optic components, or related optical manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting both new‑product transfer and sustaining manufacturing is preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training or certification is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to use fingers for both gross and fine manipulation.
• Ability to reach at or below shoulder level with arms and seize, hold, and grasp objects.
• Near visual acuity is required.
• Ability to lift and/or carry 50 pounds.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.

LUMIBIRD PHOTONICS USA INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We consider applicants for all positions on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation and any other legally protected status.

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