Senior Laser Process Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Own the hands-on commissioning and verification of advanced industrial laser systems (including Fiber, UV, Green, and ultra-fast Picosecond/Femtosecond arrays).
• Draft and execute comprehensive Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) protocols covering safety interlocks, optical alignment, and utility hookups.
• Ensure absolute processing repeatability by verifying system power stability, focal position, beam diameter, spot size, and scanner field distortion.
• Conduct routine galvo scanner calibrations and validate vision-alignment systems to minimize placement drift.
• Develop robust laser-marking recipes from scratch for diverse materials and product configurations.
• Design structured engineering experiments (DOE) to manipulate core process variables—including laser power, pulse width, frequency, scan speed, hatch spacing, and focal offset—to optimize marking contrast and minimize Heat-Affected Zones (HAZ).
• Establish quality acceptance criteria for marked components.
• Utilize optical microscopes, surface profilometers, and specialized vision verification systems to audit marking depth, contrast, and barcode readability grades.
• Ensure flawless execution of serialization architectures (UID, UDI, Data Matrix codes).
• Partner closely with working-level Automation, Robotics, and Software teams to integrate standalone laser marking cells into fully automated production lines.
• Auxiliary in configuring PLC handshakes, recipe management systems, and sensor telemetry to feed critical manufacturing data into enterprise platforms (MES/ERP).
• Own the transfer of calibrated processes from the validation phase over to 24/7 manufacturing operations.
• Define, monitor, and improve cell-level equipment KPIs (OEE, Uptime, MTBF) and process/production KPIs (First-Pass Yield, Barcode Grade Consistency, Cycle Time, Process Capability Cp/Cpk).
• Act as the technical escalation point for the floor to resolve quality defects (e.g., poor contrast, burn marks, unreadable codes) and equipment faults (e.g., optical contamination, beam misalignment).
• Author comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintenance schedules, and operator training frameworks.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in laser material processing, laser marking, or laser micro-machining within a high-volume precision manufacturing environment.
• Direct experience setting up, operating, and aligning industrial laser systems (Fiber, UV, or CO₂) utilizing galvo scanners, F-theta optics, and beam delivery systems.
• Documented track record executing formal IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and utilizing vision inspection or barcode verification systems to gauge edge quality and contrast.
• Proven ability to run structured process window characterizations and analyze process capability utilizing statistical software (Minitab, JMP, or equivalent data tools).
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a highly related technical discipline.
• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally across mechanical, electrical, and quality engineering cohorts to drive project milestones.