Lead Process Development Engineer, Optical Fabrication at II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Job Description

Are you passionate about cutting-edge optical systems and advanced manufacturing processes? We're looking for a talented engineer to lead the development of innovative processes for grinding, polishing, shaping, and assembling optical components and systems. In this role, you'll drive process development, mentor junior team members, create robust documentation, and deliver precision-engineered results that meet the highest quality standards. If you thrive in a dynamic production environment and have expertise in optical fabrication, assembly, and test technologies, we invite you to bring your skills and experience to our team. Apply now and help us shape the future of optical manufacturing!

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Process Development and Process Control: Leads development and implementation of new manufacturing processes, tooling, and test fixtures related primarily to the grinding, polishing, shaping, and assembly of optics and optical systems. Strong skills are required in the basic principles of optical fabrication. manufacturing processes and planning, assembly and test. Fabrication includes various blocking methods, fixture/tooling design, grinding, pitch polishing, pad polishing, HSPP generating, HSPP polishing, Diamond Turning, aspheric polishing, CP operation, Double-sided grinding, Double-sided polishing, CNC edging, and CNC shaping of optical components. Assembly includes alignment using both mechanical means and optical methods. Test includes interferometric characterization of surfaces: transmitted wave front, reflection, magnification, and other important characteristics of optical materials, components and systems. Manufacturing processes developed are robust against product specifications and support quoted cost. Key process variables are identified, characterized and controlled sufficiently to consistently result in acceptable quality and cycle times. Process variables reduction is continuously engaged.

Process Documentation: Responsible for building and maintaining manufacturing process documentation for use by production personnel in the performance of their jobs. Manufacturing Process documentation includes Work Instructions, Routers, Bills of Materials (BOM’s), ECN/ECO documentation, Standard Manufacturing Procedures (SMP), and data collection for the use of process development or End-Item Data Packages. The documentation packages must delineate the required steps in sufficient detail to successfully fabricate and test products as defined by customer and internal specifications.

Personnel Development: Provides guidance and training to manufacturing engineers and junior technicians. Provides feedback through coaching and mentoring. Provides administrative and technical support to engineering and operations management.

Estimating: Supports quoting activities by evaluating technical requirements, identifying exceptions, and preparing cost/hours estimates for customer quotes. Evaluates technical requirements, identifies technical risks, assesses manufacturability, and provides recommendations. Supports NPI, Production, Process Development, Process Improvement, Training, Capacity/Throughput analysis, and facility/equipment requirements in support of the product realization lifecycle.

Education & Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of related experience working in a production manufacturing environment for IR lens and window manufacturing
• Bachelor's in Materials Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or Materials Science, preferred. Masters or Ph.D. in related technical fields is a strong plus
• Experience in conventional optical fabrication is desired
• Experience in assembly and test technologies is required
• Experience in IR ceramic materials & manufacturing is a strong plus
• Experience in optical assembly process development & metrology & tests are required
• Experience in preparing and maintaining drawings, procedures, process routers and Bills of Materials with full documentation and configuration control required.
• Hands on Manufacturing experience required
• Optical fabrication includes any of the following areas: grinding, pitch polishing, pad polishing, CNC generating, CNC polishing, Asphere polishing, MRF, CP operation, edging, and shaping of optical components.
• Test includes interferometric characterization of surfaces and transmitted wave front, MTF, stray light, focal length, magnification, and other important characteristics of optical materials, components, and systems
  
  

Skills

• Strong verbal and written technical communication skills.
• Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet software including MS Word, Excel, CAD software knowledge required (Solidworks preferred).
• Strong analytical, fault isolation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to details required.
• Must be capable of reading blueprints.
• Experience in conventional optical fabrication, assembly, and test technologies are required. Optical fabrication includes various blocking methods, fixture/tooling design, grinding, pitch polishing, pad polishing, CNC generating, CNC polishing, Diamond Turning, aspheric polishing, CP operation, Double-sided grinding, Double-sided polishing, edging, and CNC shaping of optical components. Assembly includes alignment using both mechanical means and optical methods. Test includes interferometric characterization of surfaces: transmitted wave front, reflection, magnification, and other important characteristics of optical materials, components and systems.
• Experience with fabrication methodologies and development of processes on a variety of materials such as Ge, Si, ZnS, ZnSe, Sapphire, BK7, CaF2, BaF2, GaAs, Aluminum, and other exotic materials/ceramics.
• Experience with various optical and mechanical fabrication techniques and development for various sizes of windows, lenses, domes, prisms, waveplates, etc. in various materials above.
• Experience in process design, development and project planning is desired.
• Experience in preparing and maintaining drawings, procedures, process routers and Bills of Materials with full documentation and configuration control required.
• Must understand production flow and be capable of logically developing planning within this flow that correctly and efficiently builds product.
• Excellent track record in developing and training junior opticians to upper levels.
• Experience in setting up production cells, equipment onboarding, and facility layouts. Familiarity with equipment manufacturers, technology and capability, evaluation and selection of capital equipment.
  
  

Working Conditions

Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and office machinery.

Noise level – Usually moderate.

Physical Requirements

Walk. Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other employees accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.

Reaching. Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Use hands/fingers to type/handle. Operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

Grasping. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

Stooping. Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Lifting. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

Sedentary Work. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Visual acuity. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent A&D 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.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent A&D:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent A&D is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

About The Team

II-VI Aerospace & Defense is a high technology company, offering careers in offices and campuses in California, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. We work with emerging technology in areas of atmospheric sensing and imaging, adaptive optics, optical communications, coherent beam combining, and numerical performance analysis of atmospheric optics systems. II-VI A&D has recently been awarded several new government contracts and we are offering opportunities to leverage your technical experience and interpersonal skills for something more than a simple paycheck. If this sounds like the type of environment you are seeking at this point in your career, and if your background meets these qualifications, please apply. We will offer a competitive salary and benefits. Since II-VI A&D is a rapidly expanding organization, it means that significant opportunities exists for career advancement and professional development.

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