Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Optical Coating Laboratory, LLC; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 10,710 - 13,090; Full time

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions is seeking a hands-on Senior Manufacturing Engineer to own equipment and processes on the Santa Rosa, CA production floor. You will drive improvements using Lean-Sigma, data-driven methods, and robust troubleshooting to raise throughput and quality.

Responsibilities include developing recipes for laser marking, creating work instructions, and collaborating with engineering, quality, and maintenance to implement new processes and investigate quality issues.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing engineering (MS preferred).
• 5+ years manufacturing engineering in a production environment.
• Hands-on equipment and process troubleshooting experience; root cause to closure.
• Experience creating work instructions and process documentation for manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of Lean tools, SPC, PFMEA, CAPA, and 8D methodology.
• Strong data analysis skills with advanced Excel and statistical tools (e.g., JMP, Minitab).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Own and improve manufacturing equipment and processes. Troubleshoot issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Build and maintain work instructions, fixtures and shop-floor tools, and software that improve efficiency, repeatability, and quality; train operators on their use.
• Program and maintain processing equipment such as for laser marking. Develop recipe programs, qualify equipment, and ensure traceability.
• Conduct failure analysis on nonconforming product to identify root causes and feed improvements back into the process.
• Lead continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, and DOE to reduce scrap, improve yield, and increase throughput.
• Support dicing, beveling/rounding, and other optical finishing operations. Optimize parameters and qualify tooling as needed.
• Collaborate across engineering, quality, and maintenance on designing processes for new products and investigations on any quality issues.
• Perform other assignments as needed.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Troubleshooting

Process documentation

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Engineering drawing reading

Education

BS in Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing engineering

MS preferred

Tools

Excel (advanced)

JMP

Minitab

GD&T

Job description

Summary:

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Position Summary:

We are looking for a hands-on Senior Manufacturing Engineer who thrives on the production floor. The ideal candidate can own equipment and process issues, develop the tools and procedures that make operations faster, and drive measurable improvement using Lean-sigma and data driven methods.

Duties & Responsibilities:

This role primarily supports post-processing of optical components (dicing, laser marking, beveling, and related finishing) at Viavi Solutions in Santa Rosa, CA. Primary responsibilities include:

• Own and improve manufacturing equipment and processes. Troubleshoot issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Build and maintain work instructions, fixtures and shop-floor tools, and software that improve efficiency, repeatability, and quality; train operators on their use.
• Program and maintain processing equipment such as for laser marking. Develop recipe programs, qualify equipment, and ensure traceability.
• Conduct failure analysis on nonconforming product to identify root causes and feed improvements back into the process.
• Lead continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, and DOE to reduce scrap, improve yield, and increase throughput.
• Support dicing, beveling/rounding, and other optical finishing operations. Optimize parameters and qualify tooling as needed.
• Collaborate across engineering, quality, and maintenance on designing processes for new products and investigations on any quality issues.
• Perform other assignments as needed.

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:

Required Skills/Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline; MS preferred.
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.
• Hands-on equipment and process troubleshooting experience, comfortable diagnosing issues on the floor and driving root cause to closure.
• Experience creating work instructions and process documentation for manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of Lean tools, SPC, PFMEA, CAPA, and 8D methodology.
• Strong data analysis skills with advanced Excel and statistical tools (e.g., JMP, Minitab).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T.

Preferred Skills/Qualifications

• Experience with precision manufacturing equipment (e.g., dicing saws, laser markers, CNC systems).
• Failure analysis experience using microscopy, SEM, or related characterization tools.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management system experience.
• Aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or precision manufacturing background.
• Experience with MES and/or ERP systems.

Key Attributes

• Self-motivated, organized, and autonomous
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective project and priority management
• Fast learner with strong technical curiosity
• Hands-on, shop-floor-engaged mindset
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Work is performed in a cleanroom and adjacent production areas; gowning may be required during shift.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods with intermittent sitting at workstations and metrology stations.
• Manual dexterity to handle small, fragile components without damage or contamination.
• Close-vision acuity for inspection of product surfaces and reading metrology displays.
• Exposure to ordinary manufacturing hazards: dicing equipment, laser systems, compressed gases, cleaning solvents, and rotating machinery. All hazards are controlled per established EHS procedures.

Shift Schedule

This is a day-shift position. Schedule is subject to operational needs; occasional flexibility for training, coverage, or shift support may be required.

This position requires access to technology, materials, software or hardware that is controlled by export laws of the US. In order to be eligible, you be an eligible US Person as defined by USCIS.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.

Job Posting Pay Range:

81,900 to 152,100

Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.