Senior Equipment Engineer

About the role

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. 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).

Location: Camas

Ability to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Manages the equipment lifecycle for nLIGHT-built and procured equipment, including spare-parts strategies and obsolescence planning.
• Partners with customers on contract manufacturing lines to install, qualify, and maintain customer-owned equipment in accordance with contract requirements, including service and spare-parts strategies.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve nLIGHT’s business systems related to equipment management, including compliance, calibration, repairs, and ticketing systems.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key equipment suppliers.
• Collaborates with project teams to qualify new equipment and place it into service.
• Responds to production escalations, including defined after-hours or on-call expectations.
• Leads complex troubleshooting and root-cause investigations using methods such as 8D, DMAIC, fault-tree analysis, or FMEA.
• Develops preventive and predictive maintenance plans and improves equipment reliability.
• Writes and maintains equipment specifications, qualification protocols, acceptance criteria, work instructions, and technical documentation.
• Partners with Manufacturing, Process, Quality, Facilities, EHS, IT/automation, and technicians.
• Ensures equipment meets applicable safety, regulatory, calibration, quality-system, and change-control requirements.
• Leads equipment installation, factory and site acceptance testing, commissioning, validation, and handoff to production.
• Manages equipment upgrades, retrofits, automation, controls, and continuous-improvement projects.
• Mentors junior engineers and technicians and provides technical leadership across shifts.
• Manages vendors, service contracts, quotations, scope, schedule, budget, and installation performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, or a closely related field, plus five years of experience supporting high-volume, multi-shift production lines; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with optical metrology, optical benches, and/or electrical test stations.
• Understanding of measurement systems analysis and gauge repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R).
• Detailed understanding of equipment metrics and practices, including uptime, calibration, preventive maintenance, spare-parts management, obsolescence planning, risk management, and strategies for tools that represent a single point of failure.
• Demonstrated project ownership and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Strong record of problem-solving and data analysis using structured methodologies.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and mechanical drawings, with knowledge of basic tooling and fixture design.
• Experience with data analysis and experimental design.
• Experience with PLCs, motion control, machine vision, robotics, data acquisition, or equipment software/interfaces.
• Familiarity with CAPA, 8D, Lean, and Six Sigma tools.
• Ability to interpret specifications, drawings, schematics, P&IDs, and control-system documentation.
• Ability to learn quickly and take on new projects and issues to support production.
• Ability to adapt and use limited resources effectively to achieve results and meet schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in electrical engineering, materials science, optics, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Six or more years of experience in precision optics assembly and testing.
• Knowledge of optical fibers, fiber assemblies, optics, laser diodes, testing, especially data analysis, and a variety of metrology, characterization, and failure-analysis tools.
• Experience with the following processes and equipment is preferred: optical test benches; die attach and bonding; wire and ribbon bonding; vacuum solder-reflow ovens; optical fiber alignment; hermetic seam sealing; solder and epoxies; and electro-optical, electro-pneumatic, and fluid-cooling systems.

Physical and Work Environment

• Work is performed in office, laboratory, cleanroom, and manufacturing environments and requires regular interaction with production equipment and personnel.
• Ability to move throughout manufacturing areas and perform work while standing, walking, bending, reaching, crouching, or working in confined equipment areas.
• Ability to use a computer and hand tools and to perform close visual inspection and detailed technical work for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds independently and heavier equipment components with appropriate assistance or lifting devices.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and cleanroom attire, and to follow applicable laser, electrical, chemical, lockout/tagout, and equipment-safety procedures.
• May be exposed to moderate noise, moving mechanical parts, electrical systems, lasers, chemicals, compressed gases, and temperature variations within controlled operational limits.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Pay

• Equipment Engineer II: $90,000 – $115,000 annually
• Senior Equipment Engineer: $103,000 – $130,000 annually
• Other Compensation: Target Cash Bonus of 5% to 6% of earned wages, depending on level; Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants

Benefits

• 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