Senior Product Engineer – Expanded Beam Optics

Jobtailor; Minnesota; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

3M in Minnesota is seeking a results-driven engineer to lead product, materials and process engineering initiatives for optical connectors and ferrules. You will apply Lean Six Sigma, DOE and statistical methods to improve quality, reduce costs, and scale up manufacturing.

Collaborating with global laboratories and cross-functional teams, you will drive design changes, validate performance through test plans, and mentor teammates to meet tight timelines.

Qualifications

• Four years of combined product, materials, and/or process engineering experience.
• Experience with connectors and/or optical connectors or optical ferrules.
• Experience with scaling up technology to large-scale manufacturing, especially optical materials.
• Hands-on problem solving mindset using laboratory equipment.
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects with deadlines.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma, DOE, and Statistical Analysis.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance product development.
• Lead projects on raw material substitution, quality improvement, or cost reduction.
• Validate product performance through test plans using optical lab equipment.
• Drive scale-up activities for new product introductions.
• Maintain product standards and support claims substantiation.
• Coordinate with global laboratories and manufacturing sites.
• Communicate clearly to inspire and motivate team members.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Design of Experiments

Statistical Analysis

Problem Solving

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Tools

Optical laboratory equipment

Job description

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World
• Optimize interconnect products and ferrules by driving Product and Process Understanding (PPU) efforts
• Lead strategic projects like raw material substitution, quality improvement, or cost reduction projects
• Lead/support change management process and validate product performance for changes in design, process or raw materials through test plan generation and execution using optical laboratory equipment
• Ensure product performance and stability of existing products by leading product improvement projects through design modifications, as needed
• Drive scale‑up activities as a core team member for new product introductions
• Maintain product standards and specifications, owning claims substantiation process
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (product development, application engineering, business, manufacturing and quality teams), global laboratories and manufacturing sites
• Utilize strong communication skills to inspire, influence, motivate and teach other team members

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in science or engineering field (completed and verified prior to start) from an accredited institution
• Four (4) years of combined product, materials, and/or process engineering experience in a private, public, government or military environment
• Experience working in Quality and/or Manufacturing/Production and/or Product Development and/or Engineering in a private, public, government or military environment supporting connectors and/or optical connectors or optical ferrules
• Experience with scaling up technology and/or products to large scale manufacturing, especially optical materials
• Hands‑on problem solving mindset using laboratory equipment
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring that critical deadlines are met without compromising quality.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma, Design of Experiments (DOE), and Statistical Analysis.