Lead Reliability and Quality Engineer (Optical Systems)

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead reliability strategy development for new optical product platforms ensuring robust design and manufacturability from early architecture stages through production ramp.
• Collaborate closely with optical designers mechanical engineers process engineers manufacturing teams and suppliers to identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans to prevent product failures.
• Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis activities leveraging physics-of-failure principles and structured problem-solving techniques (8D DMAIC etc.).
• Drive quality improvements through process optimization data-driven decision making and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean Six Sigma SPC).
• Establish and improve quality systems procedures and metrics appropriate for a dynamic startup-oriented environment while maintaining compliance with corporate and industry standards.
• Define and execute comprehensive qualification and validation plans to ensure product robustness lifetime performance and compliance with internal and customer reliability requirements.
• Develop and implement reliability test methodologies including accelerated life testing environmental stress screening HALT/HASS and aging studies.
• Analyze reliability data using statistical methods to estimate lifetime performance failure rates and confidence levels; clearly communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with suppliers to evaluate process capability manufacturing readiness and long-term reliability risks.
• Support production ramp activities ensuring scalability yield improvement and sustained reliability reliability strategy development for new optical product platforms ensuring robust design and manufacturability from early architecture stages through production ramp.
• Collaborate closely with optical designers mechanical engineers process engineers manufacturing teams and suppliers to identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans to prevent product failures.
• Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis activities leveraging physics-of-failure principles and structured problem-solving techniques (8D DMAIC etc.).
• Drive quality improvements through process optimization data-driven decision making and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean Six Sigma SPC).
• Establish and improve quality systems procedures and metrics appropriate for a dynamic startup-oriented environment while maintaining compliance with corporate and industry standards.
• Define and execute comprehensive qualification and validation plans to ensure product robustness lifetime performance and compliance with internal and customer reliability requirements.
• Develop and implement reliability test methodologies including accelerated life testing environmental stress screening HALT/HASS and aging studies.
• Analyze reliability data using statistical methods to estimate lifetime performance failure rates and confidence levels; clearly communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with suppliers to evaluate process capability manufacturing readiness and long-term reliability risks.
• Support production ramp activities ensuring scalability yield improvement and sustained reliability performance.

Education & Experience

B.S M.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering Optical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Materials Science or related technical field.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in reliability and quality engineering focused on optical systems photonics devices or optoelectronic assemblies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting products through NPI and high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in fast-paced or startup environments preferred.

Skills

• Strong technical understanding of optical systems including lasers optical switching transceivers photonic components packaging and opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Expertise in reliability statistics Weibull analysis accelerated life testing and physics-of-failure methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with failure analysis techniques such as cross-sectioning SEM material analysis and electrical/optical characterization.
• Proven track record in process improvement yield enhancement and implementation of quality management systems.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical data into clear actionable recommendations for cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across global teams and suppliers.
• Self-driven adaptable and comfortable operating in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments.

Working Conditions

• Office environment with regular interaction in laboratory and manufacturing settings.
• Occasional domestic and international travel to suppliers and manufacturing sites may be environment with regular interaction in laboratory and manufacturing settings.
• Occasional domestic and international travel to suppliers and manufacturing sites may be required.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments including extended periods of sitting standing and use of standard lab equipment.

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 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

CultureCommitment

Ensure adherence to companys values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

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 Corp. 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.