Lead Equipment Engineer

CVI ABQ Equipment Engineer

The Equipment Engineer serves as the technical and practical leader for the optics fabrication, coating, and manufacturing equipment, automation systems, machine vision technology, and equipment reliability initiatives. This role is responsible for the installation, setup, programming, optimization, and ongoing support of manufacturing equipment producing precision and high-power laser optics. The Equipment Engineer partners with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Facility Maintenance teams to implement new manufacturing equipment, improve manufacturing processes, support operational excellence initiatives, and provide the daily technical leadership and management of the manufacturing equipment Preventive Maintenance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead installation, commissioning, qualification, and startup of optics manufacturing equipment and production systems.
• Configure, program, troubleshoot, and optimize optics manufacturing equipment, controls, automation systems, and machine vision technologies.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement optics manufacturing equipment, automation, and process improvements that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and reliability. Maximize uptime of all optics fabrication, assembly, and coating equipment. Experience with maintaining
• Advanced Polishing Platforms (CCP, MRF), single and double-sided planetary lapping/polishing equipment
• Metrology equipment, spectrophotometers, interferometers, and stress measurement tools
• Veeco Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS), Bühler Leybold Electron Beam (E-beam), APS coating equipment
• Lead manufacturing equipment-related projects, including planning, implementation, vendor coordination, and execution.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and process issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing equipment documentation, operating procedures, work instructions, and training materials.
• Analyze manufacturing equipment performance data and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support process development, process transfers, and manufacturing scale-up activities.
• Provide daily leadership, technical direction, and work prioritization for the manufacturing equipment Preventive Maintenance Team.
• Develop and support manufacturing equipment preventative maintenance programs and manufacturing equipment reliability initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical support and training to operators, technicians, and engineering personnel.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Vacuum Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Optics Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3-5 years of experience in a high-tolerance optics manufacturing environment supporting manufacturing equipment, automation systems, PVD thin-film equipment in an optics environment, or related production environments. Understand PLC programing, EtherCAT, or other automation communication protocols.
• Laser Optics:
  Understanding of Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) equipment requirements.
• Metrology:
  Familiarity with spectrophotometers, interferometers, and stress measurement tools.
• Vacuum Systems:
  Deep knowledge of leak detection, mass spectrometry, and gas delivery.
• Experience installing, commissioning, configuring, and troubleshooting manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with automation systems, PLCs, HMIs, controls, sensors, machine vision systems, or related technologies.
• Experience leading technical projects and cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and manufacturing equipment reliability programs.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, or project management principles required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong mechanical, electrical, and automation troubleshooting capabilities.
• Knowledge of optics manufacturing equipment, lifecycle management and reliability practices.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, electrical schematics, and engineering documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to travel occasionally is required.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an optics manufacturing environment, including clean room environments.
• Ability to comply with all clean room gowning, contamination control, and safety requirements.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work around optics manufacturing equipment, machinery, and automated systems.
• Ability to use personal protective equipment as required.
• Ability to perform equipment installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and validation activities in…