NPI Lead

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI programs through the full phase‑gate process; serve as the central coordination point between PLM, R&D, Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, and Supply Chain to align priorities, actions, and timelines.
• Develop and maintain program plans, milestone trackers, action registers, risk assessments, and status updates to ensure visibility and accountability.
• Coordinate the transition of new products, processes, or technical capabilities from development into production, ensuring readiness for manufacturing, quality, documentation, and operational support.
• Organize and lead phase‑gate reviews, readiness reviews, technical reviews, and post‑launch lessons learned.
• Identify technical, manufacturing, quality, and schedule risks early and drive mitigation plans with the appropriate functional owners.
• Support development and technical activities as needed, including experiment planning, data review, and technical troubleshooting.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations to improve manufacturability, repeatability, yield, process capability, cycle time, and overall production readiness.
• Ensure required documentation is created, reviewed, and released, including specifications, process documentation, test requirements, control plans, technical drawings or equivalent documentation, and qualification records.
• Track launch and readiness metrics, communicate program status to stakeholders and leadership, and elevate barriers when needed.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related technical discipline.
• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years with a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent experience.
• Strong technical background with experience in product development, process development, manufacturing engineering, NPI, or technical program management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional projects across R&D, PLM, Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and customer‑facing teams.
• Experience with phase‑gate, product lifecycle, qualification, manufacturing readiness, or design transfer processes.
• Strong communication, organization, risk management, data analysis, and independent execution skills, with the ability to support technical troubleshooting and continuous improvement.

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

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.

Ensure adherence to company’s 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.

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