Software/Firmware Engineering Manager

nLIGHT, Inc.; Camas (WA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Target Cash Bonus 6‑8%

Restricted Stock Units (RSU)

401(k) with company match

Health benefits from day 1

4 weeks PTO

10 paid holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Company paid disability & life

Tuition Assistance

Pet Insurance

Job summary

nLIGHT, Inc. is seeking a Software/Firmware Engineering Manager to join our Camas, WA team. The role focuses on leadership, coordination across firmware, testing, web development, and data services to deliver software for multiple laser control projects.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in real‑time software/firmware, strong product management experience, and proficiency with Windows/.NET, C#, and C. This position offers a competitive compensation package and extensive benefits in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software/firmware development in real‑time environments.
• Bachelor's degree in EE, CompE, CS, Physics or similar discipline.
• 5+ years of software product management, requirements, and software process management (Agile and Waterfall).
• Experience directing software engineering development activities and leading R&D teams through NPI Phases and Gates.
• Experience with software process management systems (Rally, RTC, Jama Contour, JIRA) and controls (ERP, LEAN, Six Sigma, SPC).
• Familiar with Windows and .NET; comfortable with C# and C.
• Experience in embedded systems development is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Direct Projects – lead multidisciplinary team through development/NPI processes; manage feasibility studies, requirements, design, qualification, and handoff to production.
• Develop Resources – hire, develop and build a capable team to deliver high quality software products.
• Deliver to Plan – develop and manage project plans (resources, schedule, budget) and provide status reports to executives.
• Influence Business Strategy – collaborate with partners for inputs to quarterly/annual planning cycles.
• Improve Processes – drive continuous improvement of systems supporting product development.
• Manage Risk – escalate issues and drive resolution for cost/schedule/performance.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Agile methodologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE, CompE, CS, Physics or similar discipline

Tools

Rally

RTC

ZenHub

Jama Contour

JIRA

ERP

LEAN

Six Sigma

SPC

Windows

.NET

C#

C

Job description

Who We Are

At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a massively growing market. 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).

Summary

nLIGHT, Inc. is seeking a Software/Firmware Engineering Manager to join our growing team, located in Camas, WA. Our ideal candidate is a proven leader and collaborator who is motivated, detail-oriented, and proactive with a passion for growing the business and increasing efficiency. This position focuses on relationships, processes, and the infrastructure necessary to develop, test, and delivery software for multiple concurrent projects. Projects range from laser control systems used in industrial, directed energy applications, tooling and automation.

Functions

• Direct Projects – Lead multidisciplinary team (firmware, test automation, web development, data services, etc.) through the development/NPI process. Manage and oversee feasibility studies, requirements generation, software design and qualification, compliance certification, and handoff to production.
• Develop Resources – Hire, develop and build highly capable team members with a collective skill set to deliver highest quality software products.
• Deliver to Plan – Develop and manage project plans (resource allocation, schedule, budget, and performance attributes) to ensure commitments are achieved; provide regular written and verbal status reports to peers and executives.
• Influence Business Strategy – Collaborate with partners to provide inputs to the business unit and corporate planning processes in support of quarterly and annual planning cycles.
• Improve Processes – Implement and influence business and operations systems in support of product development needs. Drive structured continuous improvement efforts.
• Manage Risk – Escalate issues and drive resolution, as required, to balance program risk as it relates to cost/schedule/performance. Facilitate risk-based and priority-based technical decision‑making.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software/firmware development in real–time programming environments
• Bachelor's degree in EE, CompE, CS, Physics or similar discipline
• 5+ years of software product management, requirements, and software process management (Agile and Waterfall), software management experience in global high‑tech industries.
• Experience managing/directing software engineering development activities, and/or leading R&D teams through the spectrum of NPI Phases and Gates. Ability to motivate, focus, and coach project staff. Ability to influence, manage, and collaborate with external stakeholders.
• Experience with software process management systems and tools (Rally, RTC, ZenHub, Jama Contour, JIRA, etc.) and management controls (Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), LEAN, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control (SPC), as examples).
• Familiar with Windows operating systems and .NET
• Comfortable with C# and C
• Experience with embedded systems development is desirable.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting pay depends on qualifications:

• Software/Firmware Engineering Manager: $115,000 - $137,000 annually

Other Compensation and Benefits

• Target Cash Bonus of 6‑8% of earned wages
• Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 10 paid Holidays
• 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 $40.00 per 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
• Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance

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 [email protected].

Export Control and E‑Verify

nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. To qualify for this position, you must be a US Person (a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status). 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.