Senior Optical Tech Lead
Job Summary
As a Senior Tech Lead – Optical Manufacturing, you will drive the development, optimization, and scale-up of optical manufacturing processes across assembly, alignment, packaging, and test. You will play a critical role in transitioning products from development to high-volume manufacturing, working at the intersection of optical engineering, process development, and production. This role involves partnering with internal and external teams to deliver scalable, high-yield optical systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead NPI to HVM product transition
- Develop optical assembly and alignment processes
- Optimize yield, throughput, and manufacturing costs
- Manage equipment selection and automation initiatives
- Mentor engineering and technician teams
Required Skills
- 8-12+ years in optical/photonics manufacturing
- Expertise in optical alignment and packaging
- NPI to HVM scaling experience
- Knowledge of manufacturing KPIs
- Proficiency in Lean/Six Sigma methodologies
Job Details
Drive Manufacturing Scale & Process Excellence
- Lead the transition of optical products from prototype to volume manufacturing (NPI → HVM)
- Develop and optimize optical assembly, alignment, packaging, and test processes
- Drive improvements in yield, throughput, cycle time, and cost
- Establish manufacturing KPIs aligned to product and delivery milestones
Own Optical Assembly & Alignment Systems
- Lead development of precision optical alignment (active/passive) processes
- Optimize optical performance metrics such as coupling efficiency, insertion loss, and reliability
- Define and standardize process flows, SOPs, and manufacturing documentation
Equipment & Automation
- Define, select, and qualify manufacturing equipment and tooling
- Drive automation initiatives across alignment, inspection, and testing workflows
- Collaborate with vendors and partners for custom tool development and process integration
Partner with Engineering & Manufacturing Ecosystem
- Work closely with optical, process, and packaging engineering teams for product transfer
- Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) initiatives
- Interface with external partners (foundries, OSATs, assembly/test vendors) for execution and scale
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and yield improvement initiatives
- Implement process control, quality systems, and in-line inspection methodologies
- Drive continuous improvement across defect reduction, reliability, and process stability
Leadership
- Mentor and guide engineers and technicians in optical manufacturing processes
- Build strong technical depth within the team and drive a culture of execution and accountability
- Lead through influence across cross-functional and global teams
What We’re Looking For
- 8–12+ years of experience in optical/photonics manufacturing or process engineering
- Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD in Optics, Photonics, Physics, or related field
- Strong expertise in optical alignment, packaging, and testing
- Proven experience in scaling products from development to manufacturing (NPI to HVM)
- Experience working with external manufacturing partners and suppliers
- Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs: yield, throughput, cycle time, and quality
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, startup environment with high ownership
Nice to Have
- Experience with silicon photonics, PICs, or optical interconnect systems
- Exposure to cleanroom manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with automation, machine vision, and precision assembly systems
- Experience with Lean / Six Sigma methodologies