Manufacturing Engineer

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Analyze production data, routings, labor standards, yields, scrap, rework, and capacity utilization to identify and execute margin improvement opportunities.
• Lead cycle time reduction, throughput improvement, and labor content optimization projects for key product families including Sapphire and YVO4.
• Develop, maintain, and improve process documentation including work instructions, routers, travelers, BOMs, process flows, capacity models, and PFMEAs.
• Evaluate and improve material utilization, WIP flow, inventory turns, and production planning alignment to reduce future excess and obsolete inventory exposure.
• Design, qualify, and implement tooling, fixtures, automation, robotics, and error-proofing solutions to improve safety, consistency, yield, and scalability.
• Apply AI-enabled tools, analytics, dashboards, and predictive methods to improve process visibility, anomaly detection, standard work adherence, and decision speed.
• Use Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, DOE, root cause analysis, and process capability methods to stabilize processes and deliver measurable results.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, and Engineering to improve routing accuracy, labor absorption, cost models, and production execution.
• Support investigation and resolution of yield losses, scrap, rework, MRB issues, and process escapes with timely corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead validation, qualification, and implementation of new or revised manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and control plans.
• Identify, justify, and manage capital and continuous improvement projects that improve throughput, capacity, quality, and gross margin performance.
• Train production personnel on updated processes, automated systems, robotics work cells, AI-enabled tools, and standard work requirements.

Education & Experience

• BS in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, or other relevant technical degree.
• 5+ years' experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, industrial engineering, or production operations within a precision manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience reducing manufacturing cost through cycle time reduction, yield improvement, labor efficiency, material utilization, scrap reduction, and routing accuracy.
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SPC, DOE, FMEA/PFMEA, process capability, root cause analysis, and corrective action methods.
• Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing documentation including routers, travelers, work instructions, BOMs, process flows, standard labor assumptions, and control plans.
• Working knowledge of automation, robotics, machine integration, data acquisition, and manufacturing systems used to improve process repeatability and throughput.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and data analysis/reporting platforms; ability to interpret ERP/MRP, production, quality, and cost data to drive action.

Skills

• Experience supporting optical, crystal, ceramic, sapphire, YVO4, or other precision component manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience implementing automation, robotics, vision systems, AI-enabled analytics, or machine learning tools in a manufacturing environment.
• Leverage Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, SME, ASQ, or equivalent continuous improvement certification.
• Experience building cost models, capacity models, labor standards, OEE/throughput dashboards, or variance reduction scorecards.
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with ability to influence Operations, Quality, Planning, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance without direct authority.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, organization, and follow-through skills with a bias toward measurable business results.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly walk throughout manufacturing, assembly, test, coating, polishing, and warehouse areas.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 4–8 hours per day) while supporting production activities, process observations, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials, tooling, fixtures, and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, kneel, and climb ladders or step stools as required to support manufacturing equipment and process improvements.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, monitors, and engineering software for extended periods.
• Ability to perform detailed visual inspections and review technical data, drawings, procedures, and manufacturing documentation.
• Ability to work in cleanroom, laboratory, and manufacturing environments while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, smocks, and protective footwear.
• Ability to support manufacturing activities in environments that may include moving machinery, vibration, noise, and exposure to chemicals used in optical manufacturing processes while following established safety procedures.
• Ability to occasionally work flexible hours to support production needs, equipment installations, process qualifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Safety Requirements

• All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

• Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

• Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp:
• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!