Product Engineer

As a Product Engineer, you will serve as the technical lead for complex optical products in both high-mix and low-mix volume manufacturing environments. You will be the primary technical bridge between R&D, Internal Engineering, and Supplier Management teams to ensure seamless product shipments.

This role primarily focuses on optimizing manufacturing performance by monitoring key performance indicators like yield and quality, actively mitigating production downtime, and ensuring timely shipment fulfillment. It also involves providing technical leadership through in-depth problem-solving, including root cause analysis, failure analysis, and optical diagnostics, to resolve manufacturing and quality issues effectively.

Additionally, the position manages the product lifecycle, overseeing Bill of Materials and engineering changes, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and identifying alternative component sources. It requires extensive cross-functional collaboration, serving as a technical liaison between R&D and suppliers, supporting New Product Introduction, and ensuring stringent quality standards through supplier audits, process validation, and risk management.

1. Manufacturing Performance & KPI Management

• Yield & Quality Ownership: Monitor and manage manufacturing KPIs, including first-pass test yields, Out-of-Box Experience (OBE), and warranty failure rates.
• Downtime Mitigation: Lead troubleshooting efforts to resolve production-line issues, minimizing manufacturing downtime and ensuring stable factory output.
• Shipment Fulfillment: Provide daily production support to ensure product shipments meet revenue and delivery targets.

2. Technical Leadership & Problem Solving

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Conduct deep-dive investigations into manufacturing and quality issues using structured methodologies such as 8D, Six Sigma, or LEAN.
• Failure Analysis: Coordinate failure analysis on defects to identify structural improvements and prevent repeat failures.
• Optical Diagnostics: Execute module-level diagnostics, including alignment checks and sensor accuracy investigations.

3. Product Lifecycle & Engineering Management

• Change Management: Manage Bill of Materials (BOM) and lead Engineering Change Management (ECM/ECN) processes for released products.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives and process optimizations to enhance manufacturing efficiency.
• Alternative Sourcing: Identify and qualify alternative materials or components when existing parts face obsolescence.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Technical Bridge: Serve as the primary point of contact between R&D, internal engineering teams, and supplier’s manufacturing/engineering teams.
• NPI Support: Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) by influencing designs for manufacturability (DFM) and testability (DFT).
• Supplier Engagement: Work closely with contract manufacturers and suppliers to ensure they meet stringent quality and performance specifications.

5. Supplier Auditing & Quality Oversight

• Production Audits: Conduct regular technical and process audits at supplier facilities to ensure adherence to manufacturing instructions, quality standards, and safety protocols.
• Process Validation: Verify that supplier production lines are optimized for optical precision and that all calibration and maintenance schedules for specialized optical equipment are strictly followed.
• Compliance & Risk: Identify potential bottlenecks or quality risks within the supplier’s workflow and collaborate on corrective action plans (CAPA) to mitigate those risks.

You have:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering or product engineering, preferably within an optical environment.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in interpreting optical measurements and understanding fundamental optics (reflection, refraction, imaging).
  • Optical Splicing Expertise: familiarity with fusion splicing requirements, fiber preparation, cleaving techniques, and the use of OTDRs or optical power meters to verify splice quality is preferred.
• Soft Skills:
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to bridge technical gaps between diverse cross functional teams.
  • Strong analytical mindset with the ability to make data-driven decisions under pressure
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision, taking initiative to solve problems and drive projects to completion.

It would be nice if you also had:

• Familiarity with optical test equipment (Oscilloscopes, Bit Error Rate Testers, Optical Spectrum Analyzers, Tunable Lasers).
• Understanding of SMT processes and PCB assembly requirements.