Process Engineering Manager

nLIGHT; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

nLIGHT is seeking a Process Engineering Manager to lead the Hillsboro site’s engineering team, drive process improvements, and ensure safe, reliable production. This onsite, hands-on leader will bridge design and manufacturing to scale products from prototype to volume production.

You will develop engineers, coordinate cross-functional initiatives, and apply systems-engineering methods to integrate optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal elements into high-yield processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or related field with 6+ years in manufacturing/engineering.
• Min 3 years engineering leadership: hiring, prioritizing, feedback, accountability.
• Direct manufacturing engineering experience with equipment, tooling, test systems, data analysis, and drawings.
• Experience with lasers/optics, opto-mechanical systems, electronics, or high-precision assemblies.
• Proficiency with PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, root-cause/corrective-action.
• Strong communication across functions, and willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop engineers and technicians with clear priorities and development plans.
• Collaborate with production and engineering to solve complex problems and ensure disciplined execution.
• Establish and sustain ISO 9001/AS9100 systems and use PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA to improve quality, safety and cost.
• Lead process, yield, cost, capacity, and equipment improvements from concept to volume production.
• Partner with design teams to improve manufacturability and transition products from prototype to production.
• Apply systems-engineering methods to integrate optical, mechanical, electrical, thermal, software, and test elements.
• Manage production equipment lifecycle including procurement, installation, calibration, maintenance and obsolescence.
• Coordinate with cross-site teams to ensure risks are communicated and changes comply with EHS requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Travel readiness

Laser/Optics (experience)

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Graduate degree in engineering or applied science

Six Sigma Black Belt / Lean certification

Tools

PFMEA

Control Plans

SPC

MSA / Measurement System Analysis

Job description

Who We Are

At nLIGHT, we are constantly extending the cutting-edge of laser technology in multiple dynamic and growing markets. 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).

Job Summary

The Process Engineering Manager leads the Hillsboro site’s engineering team and is accountable for developing people, strengthening manufacturing processes, and delivering safe, reliable production performance. This onsite, actively engaged technical leader combines technical depth, sound judgment, and cross-functional collaboration to solve complex manufacturing challenges, advance operational improvements, and successfully transition new products into production.

Responsibilities

• Leads, develops, and coaches engineers and technicians while setting clear priorities, accountability, and development plans.
• Works alongside the team in production and engineering areas to solve complex technical and manufacturing problems, remove barriers, and reinforce disciplined execution.
• Establishes and sustains ISO 9001/AS9100-compliant systems and uses data-driven methods, including PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, measurement system analysis, and root-cause/corrective action, to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and process performance.
• Leads process, yield, cost, capacity, and equipment improvements from concept through sustained production performance.
• Partners with design and product-development teams to improve manufacturability, testability, reliability, serviceability, and scalability and transition products from prototype through volume production.
• Applies systems-engineering methods to integrate optical, mechanical, electrical, thermal, software, and test elements into robust, high-yield production processes.
• Manages the production-equipment life cycle, including requirements, procurement, installation, qualification, calibration, maintenance, spare parts, and obsolescence.
• Partners across functions and sites, evaluates relevant external technologies, communicates risks and trade-offs, and ensures engineering work and process changes follow applicable EHS requirements.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field and 6 or more years of increasingly responsible manufacturing or engineering experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• At least three years of engineering leadership experience, including hiring, developing, prioritizing work, providing feedback, and sustaining accountability.
• Direct manufacturing engineering experience with equipment, tooling, test systems, data analysis, production processes, and interpretation of engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Experience developing products or processes involving lasers, optics, opto-mechanical systems, electronics, precision mechanical systems, power electronics, or hybrid microelectronic assembly and transitioning prototypes or pilot processes into stable volume production.
• Demonstrated technical problem-solving and process-control experience using tools such as PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, measurement system analysis, capability analysis, and root-cause/corrective-action methods.
• Situational leadership and communication skills, including the ability to build consensus and explain technical risks, priorities, and decisions across functions, sites, and audiences.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing financial drivers, including labor, material, yield, scrap, cycle time, capacity, and equipment cost, and familiarity with ITAR, EAR, and controlled technical data requirements.
• Ability to travel up to 10%, including occasional overnight travel to customers, suppliers, training, or company locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in engineering or applied science, or equivalent industrial experience.
• Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean certification, or demonstrated success applying Lean and Six Sigma methods.
• Direct technical experience with optical fibers, optical alignment, lasers, optical testing and metrology, precision assembly, complex test equipment, power, cooling, and tightly controlled mechanical or optical interfaces.
• Experience with engineering and data tools such as JMP, SQL, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, Power BI, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience in regulated, ISO-certified, or high-reliability manufacturing environments.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This onsite role is performed in office, laboratory, cleanroom, and production environments and requires compliance with applicable safety and PPE requirements.

The physical requirements below are representative of the essential functions of the position:

• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment and follow all gowning, cleanliness, contamination-control, safety, and quality requirements.
• Ability to move throughout the work areas and sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to frequently perform computer-based work, document review, and data entry.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary, level based on experience, education and skills:

• Process Engineering Manager: $100,000 - $140,000 annually

Other Compensation and Benefits

• Target Cash Bonus of 6% of earned wages
• Eligible for Restricted StockUnit grants
• 4weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 10paidHolidays
• 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$40.00per pay period
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• PaidBereavement Leaveand Jury Duty
• Tuition AssistanceProgram
• 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.

For more information, please review the following notices:

• E-Verify Participation Poster
• Right to Work Poster