Manufacturing Process Engineer

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, tracing back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone over a century ago. We have a proven track record of industry firsts, including application-specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium-doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, and fiber gratings. Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing, and supplying the best optical fibers, fiber cable, components, and devices for our customers, with exceptional service that creates value for our shareholders, customers, and employees.

About the role

We seek a Manufacturing Process Engineer to support our Product Realization Center in Somerset, NJ. You will collaborate with scientists, production, and quality assurance staff to increase the manufacturing readiness of new optical fiber products and fiber-based components. This role focuses on improving fabrication and measurement processes for new products by analyzing existing methods, implementing improvements, and creating documentation. Key responsibilities include enhancing manufacturing yield, identifying equipment and process challenges, and reducing costs.

Responsibilities

• Improve manufacturing yield for new optical fiber products and fiber-based components.
• Analyze existing fabrication and measurement processes to identify inefficiencies.
• Implement process improvements to enhance product quality and reduce costs.
• Develop and maintain documentation for manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including scientists, production, and quality assurance staff.
• Identify and resolve equipment and process difficulties.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in Engineering.
• Three or more years of experience in a Manufacturing Engineering role.
• Three or more years of experience in data analysis for Manufacturing.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to change.
• Discretion when handling confidential and proprietary information.

Skills

• 3D CAD software (SolidWorks) and mechanical design (a plus).
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma practices (a plus).
• Experience with LabView, Python, or other automation languages (a plus).

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Medical and dental coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Matching 401(k) plan.

About Lightera

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions enabling faster, more reliable, and sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates globally, serving customers in telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications.

Employees are expected to serve as role models for safe work practices, including following health and safety policies, maintaining a clean work area, wearing and storing personal protective equipment (PPE), and prioritizing personal safety and wellness.