Coherent

NPI Engineer

Coherent • $95K — $115K *
Budd Lake, NJ 07828In-Person
Technical Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
  • 5 years experience with a Bachelor's degree, 3 years with a Master's degree, or a Ph.D. in a relevant field.
  • Experience in photonics and laser systems, specifically in nonlinear optics and optical materials.
  • Skilled in project management and delivering technical presentations to diverse teams.
  • Strong customer-facing engineering support experience, addressing technical inquiries.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the introduction of new crystal components and photonic subassemblies from concept to production release.
  • Serve as the primary technical interface between customers, engineering, and manufacturing.
  • Evaluate prototype requests for feasibility, manufacturability, and scalability.
  • Generate and maintain critical product documentation and coordinate cross-functional activities.
  • Ensure that products meet customer specifications and quality before production release.
  • Develop metrics and dashboards to monitor project status and drive continual improvements.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for professional development and mentorship.
  • Flexible work environment encouraging work-life balance.
  • Engagement with advanced technologies in photonic systems.
  • Collaboration with global engineering and manufacturing teams.
  • Participation in cross-functional project teams and strategic initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities
  • Responsible for leading the introduction of new crystal components, optical elements, and photonic subassemblies from concept through production release, with a strong focus on supporting external customer programs and accelerating time-to-market.
  • Serves as the primary technical interface between customers, engineering, and manufacturing teams throughout the product qualification and commercialization process. Collaborates closely with design engineers across global Coherent locations to ensure successful transition of new products into manufacturing.
  • Evaluates prototype requests for technical feasibility, manufacturability, and scalability, including assessment of material selection-particularly nonlinear optical materials-phase-matching requirements, manufacturing tolerances, inspection methods, and test strategies. Develops a deep understanding of customer applications, including a wide range of laser platforms and photonic systems, to identify technical risks early and implement effective mitigation plans.
  • Generates and maintains product documentation, including technical drawings, manufacturing instructions, specifications, qualification reports, and engineering change documentation. Coordinates cross-functional activities among planning, R&D, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to optimize product introduction schedules and ensure successful execution of customer programs.
  • Ensures products meet all customer specifications, quality requirements, and manufacturing readiness criteria prior to production release. Leads phase-gate reviews and drives lifecycle management activities, proactively addressing design, process, supply chain, and quality risks throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Develops and maintains project metrics, reporting systems, and NPI dashboards to monitor program status, identify bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement. Implements processes, tools, and best practices that improve efficiency, product quality, and time-to-market for new product introductions.


Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline required.
  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience with a Bachelor's degree; 3 years of relevant experience with a Master's degree; or a Ph.D. in a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and directly applicable work experience will also be considered.
  • Experience in photonics, laser systems, nonlinear optics, optical materials, and light-matter interactions.
  • Experience with laser systems, optical components and assemblies, project management, and delivery of technical presentations to customers and cross-functional teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate and execute multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience and/or strong interest in customer-facing engineering support, including managing customer requests and technical inquiries.
  • Experience with CAD software, including SolidWorks, is a plus.


Skills

  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive projects to successful completion.
  • Ability to build strong working relationships with customers, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Strong customer focus with the ability to understand customer needs and deliver responsive technical solutions.
  • Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across organizational boundaries.
  • Effective project planning, prioritization, and organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
  • Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills with a proactive approach to risk identification and mitigation.
  • Ability to make sound technical and business decisions with limited supervision.
  • Demonstrated ownership and accountability for project outcomes and customer satisfaction.
  • Ability to mentor, coach, and share knowledge with peers and less experienced team members.
  • Adaptability and resilience in managing changing priorities, customer requirements, and business needs.
  • Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on process optimization and operational excellence.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, resolve conflicts, and foster teamwork.
  • Results-oriented approach with a demonstrated ability to drive execution and achieve business objectives.
  • Ability to lead technical reviews, facilitate discussions, and gain consensus among stakeholders.
  • High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to quality.


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.

About Coherent

Coherent, Inc. is a global leader in providing laser-based solutions to a broad range of commercial and scientific research customers. The company designs, manufactures, and markets lasers, laser-based systems, precision optics, and related accessories for a diverse group of customers. Coherent's markets include scientific research, OEM components and instrumentation, microelectronics, materials processing, and life sciences. The company's products are used in a wide range of applications. Coherent was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Learn more about Coherent
Size
5,085 employees
Market Cap
$4.6 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
-$419.7 million
Founded
1966
5 Year Trend
+27.8%
Revenue
$1.2 billion
NASDAQ
COHR
* Ladders Estimates

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