Subject Matter Expert (Manufacturing Engineer) - Optics Polishing

Coherent; Budd Lake (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent is seeking an experienced Crystal Optics Fabrication, Polishing, and Automation SME for the Budd Lake, NJ site. You will provide technical leadership for fabrication and precision polishing of optical crystals used in laser systems and photonic products.

You will identify automation opportunities, lead robotics and machine-vision initiatives, and partner with cross-functional teams to deploy new technologies and improve yield, cycle time, and cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in optics, materials science, manufacturing engineering, robotics, automation, or related field.
• 7+ years in crystal optics fabrication, polishing, or optical manufacturing.
• Experience leading automation projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience identifying automation opportunities and implementing robotics, machine vision, or automated equipment.
• Experience developing equipment requirements, evaluating suppliers, validating processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for crystal fabrication and precision polishing operations.
• Oversee sawing, coring, grinding, lapping, shaping, fixturing, and polishing of optical crystals.
• Establish and optimize process parameters for dimensional, surface, and optical quality requirements.
• Identify and prioritize automation opportunities to reduce manual labor and improve quality.
• Lead the selection and implementation of robotics, machine vision, automated inspection, and process-control systems.
• Develop automation roadmaps and business cases addressing ROI, capacity, and schedules.
• Lead automation projects from concept through production release, including training and qualification.
• Collaborate with suppliers, Engineering, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and Production Operations to deploy new tech.
• Troubleshoot equipment, tooling, fixtures, slurry, and surface-quality issues.
• Develop and improve processes for new products, production programs, yield, and cost.
• Use metrology and data to support qualification, capability studies, and corrective actions.
• Mentor early-career Manufacturing Engineers and align projects with production schedules.

Skills

Crystal optics

Fabrication

Polishing

Automation

Robotics

Machine vision

Process improvement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in optics

Manufacturing engineering or related field

Tools

Robotics equipment

Machine vision systems

Polishing machinery

Metrology equipment

Job description

Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced Crystal Optics Fabrication, Polishing, and Automation Subject Matter Expert for our Budd Lake, NJ location. This role will provide technical leadership & subject matter expertise for the fabrication and precision polishing of optical crystals used in laser systems, optical isolators, modulators, and other photonic products. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of crystal optics, hands-on experience with fabrication and polishing processes, and demonstrated experience identifying, developing, and implementing automation solutions, including robotics, for optical manufacturing. Must be willing to work in an adaptive, fast-paced environment with changing priorities and business needs.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for crystal fabrication and precision polishing operations.
• Oversee sawing, coring, grinding, lapping, shaping, fixturing, and polishing of optical crystals.
• Establish and optimize process parameters for dimensional, surface, and optical quality requirements.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to automate labor-intensive, repetitive, and quality-sensitive operations.
• Lead the selection and implementation of robotics, machine vision, automated inspection, material handling, and process-control systems.
• Develop automation roadmaps and business cases addressing capacity, labor, quality, cost, ROI, and implementation timelines.
• Lead automation projects from concept and prototyping through installation, qualification, training, and production release.
• Partner with suppliers, integrators, Engineering, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and Production Operations to deploy new technologies.
• Troubleshoot complex equipment, tooling, fixture, slurry, material-handling, surface-quality, contamination, and dimensional issues.
• Develop and improve processes for new products, engineering builds, production programs, yield, cycle time, capacity, and cost.
• Use precision metrology and process data to support qualification, capability studies, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Manage and mentor early-career Manufacturing Engineers while partnering closely with Production Operations to align projects, resolve issues, support schedules, and improve overall performance.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in optics, materials science, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, automation, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in crystal optics fabrication, precision polishing, and/or optical manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting automation projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience identifying automation opportunities and implementing robotics, machine vision, automated equipment, or material-handling systems.
• Experience developing equipment requirements, evaluating suppliers, validating processes, and transferring automated solutions into production.
• Experience with optical crystals, laser materials, surface finishing, precision manufacturing, or optical inspection.
• Experience with new product introduction, process qualification, capability studies, and continuous improvement is preferred.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of crystal optics, optical materials, fabrication, polishing, and surface finishing.
• Hands-on knowledge of grinding, lapping, polishing, fixturing, abrasives, slurries, and optical inspection techniques.
• Knowledge of robotics, automation systems, machine vision, sensors, PLC-controlled equipment, or automated inspection systems.
• Strong project management, troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop technical business cases and evaluate return on investment for automation projects.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and interface effectively with technicians, engineers, suppliers, and management.
• Ability to work independently and provide technical leadership in a production environment.

Working Conditions

This role will be based 100% on-site in Budd Lake, NJ. Regular work in a cleanroom, laboratory, and industrial manufacturing environment. Regular use of precision manufacturing equipment, polishing machinery, inspection instruments, computers, and automated systems. May require occasional work outside of normal business hours to support equipment installation, qualifications, production trials, or critical manufacturing needs.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for prolonged periods in a production or cleanroom environment. Ability to work with microscopes, precision tools, manufacturing equipment, and computer systems. Ability to occasionally lift and move materials, tooling, fixtures, and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Ability to perform repetitive hand and arm movements associated with polishing, inspection, assembly, and equipment operation. Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes, cleanroom garments, and respiratory protection where a