Principal Reliability and Quality Engineer (Optical Systems)

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead reliability strategy development for new optical product platforms, ensuring robust design and manufacturability from early architecture stages through production ramp.
• Collaborate closely with optical designers, mechanical engineers, process engineers, manufacturing teams, and suppliers to identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans to prevent product failures.
• Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis activities, leveraging physics-of-failure principles and structured problem-solving techniques (8D, DMAIC, etc.).
• Drive quality improvements through process optimization, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, SPC).
• Establish and improve quality systems, procedures, and metrics appropriate for a dynamic, startup-oriented environment while maintaining compliance with corporate and industry standards.
• Define and execute comprehensive qualification and validation plans to ensure product robustness, lifetime performance, and compliance with internal and customer reliability requirements.
• Develop and implement reliability test methodologies including accelerated life testing, environmental stress screening, HALT/HASS, and aging studies.
• Analyze reliability data using statistical methods to estimate lifetime performance, failure rates, and confidence levels; clearly communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with suppliers to evaluate process capability, manufacturing readiness, and long-term reliability risks.
• Support production ramp activities, ensuring scalability, yield improvement, and sustained reliability performance.

Education & Experience

• B.S., M.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in reliability and quality engineering focused on optical systems, photonics devices, or optoelectronic assemblies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting products through NPI and high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in fast-paced or startup environments preferred.

Skills

• Strong technical understanding of optical systems including lasers, optical switching, transceivers, photonic components, packaging, and opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Expertise in reliability statistics, Weibull analysis, accelerated life testing, and physics-of-failure methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with failure analysis techniques such as cross-sectioning, SEM, material analysis, and electrical/optical characterization.
• Pioneering track record in process improvement, yield enhancement, and implementation of quality management systems.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical data into clear, actionable recommendations for cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across global teams and suppliers.
• Self-driven, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments.

Working Conditions

• Office environment with regular interaction in laboratory and manufacturing settings.
• Occasional domestic and international travel to suppliers and manufacturing sites may be required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments, including extended periods of sitting, standing, and use of standard lab equipment.

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): 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!