Process Engineering Manager (Assembly)

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced Process Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing engineering team and drive the development, industrialization, and continuous improvement of advanced optical, laser, and fiber assembly processes in a cleanroom manufacturing environment.

This is a key leadership role with responsibility for delivering complex engineering projects from new product introduction (NPI) through production transfer and ramp-up, while ensuring high standards of quality, yield, cost, safety, and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will work closely with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to develop robust and manufacturable products, resolve complex technical challenges, and drive sustainable process improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team focused on mechanical, optical, laser, and fiber assembly processes within a cleanroom manufacturing environment.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, problem-solving, and operational excellence using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Lead engineering projects and ensure successful delivery against scope, budget, schedule, quality, and performance targets.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis (RCA) for complex process and production issues, ensuring effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Plan and prioritize engineering activities, resources, and critical tasks to ensure smooth daily operations and timely project execution.
• Establish engineering controls and training programs to maintain a strong zero-incident safety culture, including laser safety risk assessments and audits.
• Monitor RFQ (Request for Quotation) activities and ensure timely closure by tracking and reporting Turnaround Time (TAT).
• Lead the successful execution of FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), FLP (First Lot Production), and FAI (First Article Inspection) to meet customer, quality, and manufacturing requirements.
• Act as a key technical contact for customer escalations, providing clear technical updates, action plans, and progress reports to customers and management.
• Ensure operational readiness and successful project handover to production, including process documentation, equipment, tooling, training, and production controls.
• Partner closely with Design Engineering to develop high-quality, manufacturable, and cost-effective product designs.
• Apply Design for Manufacture (DFM) principles to optimize product quality, yield, manufacturability, and production efficiency.
• Lead process and testing strategy development for New Product Introduction (NPI) and actively participate in design and engineering reviews.
• Develop and document manufacturing processes for production transfer, including process risk assessments, tooling, fixtures, and equipment requirements.
• Establish robust process controls and support technician development using quality and engineering tools such as SPC, 8D, FMEA, and DOE.
• Drive yield improvement, productivity enhancement, cycle-time reduction, and waste elimination initiatives across manufacturing processes.
• Lead the development and implementation of measurement and test systems to ensure reliable and accurate process and product performance.
• Ensure engineering processes, documentation, equipment, and facilities comply with applicable safety, environmental, quality, life sciences, and semiconductor manufacturing standards.
• Maintain high standards of cleanroom discipline, cleanliness, and contamination control across engineering and manufacturing activities.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Precision Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of process engineering experience in a technical or advanced manufacturing environment, preferably involving optical, laser, fiber, precision mechanical, semiconductor, or cleanroom manufacturing.
• At least 3 years of experience in an engineering leadership or people management role.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams involved in optical, laser, fiber, or precision assembly product development and manufacturing.
• Strong track record in process development, NPI, production transfer, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Hands-on experience applying DFM, DOE, FMEA, 8D, SPC, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies to solve technical and manufacturing problems.
• Demonstrated success in driving yield improvement, process optimization, productivity, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience in commissioning and qualifying test and measurement systems for mechanical, optical, laser, or fiber assembly products.
• Strong understanding of process controls, quality systems, statistical analysis, and root cause problem-solving.
• Experience managing customer communications, technical discussions, and customer escalations.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and AS9100 standards and practices.
• Knowledge of part number creation, engineering change control (ECN/ECR), configuration management, and technical documentation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage capital projects, and drive organizational change within a production environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or above is preferred.
• Experience in laser safety, cleanroom operations, or contamination-controlled manufacturing will be an advantage.