Job Summary:

An Optical Process Engineering Manager leads the development, optimization, and scale-up of manufacturing processes for optical components and systems. This role combines technical expertise in optics, materials, and manufacturing with leadership responsibilities to ensure the high-quality, cost-effective production of optical products, including lasers, photonic devices, fiber optics, and sensors.

Responsibilities:

Process Development & Optimization

• Design, develop, and improve optical manufacturing processes.
• Optimize yield, throughput, cycle time, and product quality.
• Support process transfer from R&D to production.
• Develop process control methodologies and statistical monitoring systems.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to optics, fiber optics alignment, and length matching, or photonics assembly.

Engineering Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of process, manufacturing, and optical engineers.
• Assign project priorities and monitor execution timelines.
• Foster continuous improvement and technical innovation.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration between R&D, quality, supply chain, and operations teams.

Manufacturing & Quality

• Ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Oversee equipment qualification, validation, and maintenance strategies.

Project Management

• Manage engineering projects, budgets, schedules, and resource allocation.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities.
• Work with vendors and suppliers on process capability and equipment integration.
• Present technical updates and manufacturing metrics to senior leadership.

Technical Responsibilities

• Develop optical fabrication processes such as:
  • Optical alignment and fiber optic education

Experience/Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in:

• Optical Engineering
• Physics
• Photonics
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Related engineering discipline

Experience:

• 7-12+ years of experience in optical manufacturing or process engineering.
• 2-5+ years of leadership or people management experience.
• Experience with high-volume manufacturing and process scale-up.
• SPC (Statistical Process Control).
• DOE (Design of Experiments).
• FMEA.
• Lean/Six Sigma.
• Process validation.
• Experience with metrology and characterization tools.
• Proficiency in engineering software and data analysis tools.

Preferred Skills

• Semiconductor or photonics industry experience.
• Automation and robotics integration knowledge.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Typical Tools & Technologies.
• Optical metrology systems.
• Laser alignment equipment.
• CAD software.
• MATLAB / Python / JMP / Minitab.
• MES system.
• Cleanroom equipment.

The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

U.S. Base Pay Range

$160,000-$185,000 USD

Bay Area Pay Range

$200,000-$225,000 USD