This role is part of Alcon's Engineering function, a team focused on improving quality, processes, products, packaging and materials across our business to help deliver brilliant outcomes.
The Metrology Supervisor / Technical SME - Calibration & Measurement Science (Management Path) is responsible for leading site metrology and calibration operations while serving as the technical authority for measurement science, calibration systems, traceability, and uncertainty analysis. This role provides leadership to metrology technicians and contractors, ensuring measurement systems remain accurate, reliable, compliant, and audit ready. The position supports manufacturing, laboratory, engineering, facilities, utilities, quality, validation, and automation functions through the development and maintenance of robust calibration programs, the establishment of sound measurement practices, and adherence to company procedures, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. Additionally, the Metrology Supervisor provides technical guidance, strategic planning, resource forecasting, vendor recommendations, and continuous improvement initiatives that support Site Automation objectives, operational excellence, and budget planning.
Specifics Include:
PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:This role provides an opportunity to lead a critical function that directly supports product quality, patient safety, operational reliability, and regulatory readiness while building and advancing the site's metrology capabilities.
- Lead daily metrology and calibration operations, including work prioritization, technician support, contractor coordination, and resolution of operational or compliance-related issues.
- Supervise, coach, and develop metrology personnel while promoting technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee the development, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of calibration programs, methodologies, and measurement systems.
- Identify and evaluate sources of measurement error to ensure measurement process reliability and system performance.
- Develop and improve calibration methods using accepted measurement science principles and industry best practices.
- Serve as the site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for calibration methodologies, metrological traceability, measurement uncertainty, reference standards, calibration intervals, and measurement risk assessments.
- Ensure calibration activities, records, procedures, certificates, and supporting documentation are completed and maintained in compliance with applicable company procedures, regulatory requirements, and recognized metrology standards.
- Provide technical leadership to engineering, manufacturing, quality, validation, laboratory, facilities, and automation teams regarding instrument suitability, measurement requirements, tolerances, M&TE assessments, and uncertainty evaluations.
- Lead investigations and corrective actions associated with out-of-tolerance conditions, failed standards, reverse traceability events, calibration deviations, and measurement system performance issues.
- Maintain governance of calibration management systems, including ProCal records, instrument master data, calibration schedules, standards inventories, certificates, and workflow approvals.
- Establish technician qualification requirements, competency standards, training programs, and development plans.
- Support internal audits, external audits, regulatory inspections, management reviews, and continuous compliance initiatives related to metrology and calibration systems.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Good Practice (GxP) requirements through adherence to procedures, data integrity expectations, documentation standards, and required training programs.
- Partner with Site Automation leadership to support workload forecasting, resource planning, vendor management, service strategies, and continuous improvement opportunities.
TECHNICAL AUTHORITY AND SME SCOPEThe Metrology Supervisor serves as the primary technical authority for site metrology operations and is responsible for:
- Interpreting company calibration procedures, site requirements, and applicable industry standards for practical implementation.
- Approving or recommending calibration methodologies, measurement approaches, tolerance strategies, guard banding practices, calibration intervals, and uncertainty analysis methods.
- Evaluating the suitability of instruments, reference standards, procedures, environmental conditions, and measurement systems for intended use.
- Leading or reviewing M&TE assessments, uncertainty budgets, measurement capability evaluations, and traceability decisions.
- Representing Site Automation and Facilities Metrology in technical discussions with Quality, Validation, Engineering, Manufacturing, Laboratory, vendor, and audit teams.
- Identifying gaps in metrology capability, compliance, training, standards management, or documentation and driving corrective or preventive actions.
QUALITY SYSTEM, STANDARDS, AND ACCREDITATION READINESSThis role is responsible for strengthening the site measurement management program and enhancing readiness for audits, inspections, and potential accreditation initiatives by:
- Maintaining metrology practices aligned with applicable company procedures and site quality system requirements.
- Supporting measurement management principles consistent with ISO 10012 and applicable industry best practices.
- Supporting the use of ISO/IEC 17025 accredited external calibration laboratories when required for critical reference standards and measurements.
- Applying sound metrology principles related to measurement uncertainty, traceability, decision risk, and calibration reporting practices.
- Developing and executing ready-made plans for future accreditation initiatives or expanded internal calibration capabilities when justified by business needs.
- Coordinating technical assessments, proficiency testing, inter-laboratory comparisons, vendor evaluations, and program performance reviews as appropriate.
PEOPLE LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT:- Supervise, coach, train, and develop metrology technicians and assigned contractors.
- Foster a culture of engagement, recognition, accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Establish clear expectations regarding safety, documentation quality, compliance, schedule adherence, data integrity, investigation rigor, and customer support.
- Monitor team capacity, calibration workload, overdue performance, recurring failures, and resource constraints to support effective planning and prioritization.
- Partner with the Manager, Site Automation to identify budget needs, service requirements, capital replacement opportunities, technology investments, and vendor support strategies.
- Drive employee development through performance management, succession planning, technical training, and career growth initiatives.
SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE WILL BE MEASURED THROUGH:- Calibration schedule adherence and timely completion of required reviews.
- Complete, accurate, and audit-ready calibration records and documentation.
- Effective management of out-of-tolerance events, failed standards, and traceability investigations.
- Demonstrated technician competency, training effectiveness, and workforce development.
- Continuous improvement of metrology program maturity, compliance, standards management, and operational effectiveness.
- Strong customer support and partnership across manufacturing, laboratory, engineering, facilities, automation, and quality organizations.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON:- Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +10 yrs; Assoc.+6 yrs; M.S.+0 yrs)
- The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English
- 2 Years of Relevant Experience
- Work hours: 1st Shift: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM CST - 5:00 PM CST, with occasional support outside standard hours as operational needs require
- Location: Onsite
- Travel Requirements: 5-10%
- Sponsorship & Relocation Not Available
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:- Degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Measurement Science, Metrology, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience in metrology, calibration, measurement science, instrumentation, quality systems, or technical laboratory operations.
- Demonstrated expertise in calibration systems, measurement traceability, uncertainty analysis, reference standards, calibration intervals, and technical documentation.
- Experience in regulated manufacturing, laboratory, pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, aerospace, defense, or other quality-driven environments.
- Experience leading technicians, contractors, technical projects, investigations, or operational programs.
- ASQ Certified Calibration Technician (CCT), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or equivalent certification preferred.
- Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025, measurement uncertainty, traceability, decision risk, and calibration management systems (e.g., ProCal).
- Experience supporting audits, quality compliance programs, and the development of calibration procedures, work instructions, qualification programs, and audit-ready documentation.
- Strong understanding of calibration records, uncertainty budgets, M&TE management, standards management, and metrological traceability.
- Strong leadership, communication, root cause analysis, technical writing, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and translate complex technical concepts into practical guidance.
HOW TO THRIVE AT ALCON:- Collaborate with teammates to share standard processes and learnings as work evolves!
- See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities!
- Join Alcon's mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
- Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off for exempt associates, PTO for hourly associates, and much more!
Alcon Careers:See your impact at alcon.com.careers
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