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Manufacturing Engineer
Job in
Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, 01564, USA
Listed on 2026-06-02
Listing for:
InnoFiber
Full Time
position Listed on 2026-06-02
Job specializations:
-
Engineering
Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineering, Process Engineer, Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma -
Manufacturing / Production
Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineering, Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Innofiber is a rapidly growing, private-equity-owned manufacturer of precision engineered photonic solutions, specializing in custom fiber optic cable assemblies and sub-assemblies. Our products support critical applications across medical devices, aerospace & defense, and semiconductor markets.
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is a technical leader responsible for driving manufacturing excellence across Innofiber's fiber optic production operations. This role owns manufacturability, process robustness, and scalability from early NPI through full-rate production.
This is a highly hands-on manufacturing role. The successful candidate will have deep fiber optic manufacturing experience, demonstrated success leading products through formal NPI phase-gate / toll-gate processes, and a proven track record of improving yield, throughput, cost, and process stability on the production floor.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Engineering
* Serve as the technical authority for fiber optic manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and work instructions.
* Provide direct, hands-on support to production, troubleshooting complex process issues and driving permanent corrective actions.
* Mentor and technically guide manufacturing and process engineers, technicians, and operators.
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Phase-Gate Ownership
* Lead manufacturing activities through structured NPI phase-gate / toll-gate processes, ensuring readiness for scale, quality, and cost.
* Partner with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to transition products from development into stable production.
* Define manufacturing process flows, routings, labor standards, equipment needs, and documentation prior to release.
Process Development & Continuous Improvement
* Design, develop, and optimize fiber optic manufacturing processes including stripping, cleaving, polishing, termination, assembly, and testing.
* Drive measurable improvements in yield, scrap reduction, cycle time, and labor efficiency using data-driven methods.
* Lead root cause analysis (PFMEA, DOE, 8D) for chronic or high-impact manufacturing issues.
Equipment, Tooling & Validation
* Specify, design, and qualify manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and tooling.
* Establish and maintain a tooling lifecycle and preventive maintenance program (modernized from the legacy tooling PM requirement).
* Lead process validations (IQ/OQ/PQ) in compliance with ISO 13485 and medical device customer requirements.
Quality & Regulatory Partnership
* Ensure manufacturing processes comply with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and customer-specific regulatory requirements.
* Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits as a manufacturing subject matter expert.
* Collaborate with Quality Engineering on PFMEAs, control plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
Kaizen & Operational Excellence
* Champion Lean manufacturing and Kaizen initiatives on the production floor.
* Improve manufacturing flow, reduce waste, and establish standard work across operations.
* Help build scalable processes that support growth, acquisition integration, and increasing production volumes.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
* Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related discipline (Master's preferred).
* 2-5 years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience.
* Direct fiber optic manufacturing experience is strongly preferred and may be required, particularly within regulated industries.
* Demonstrated success leading products through structured NPI phase-gate processes.
Technical Expertise
* Deep understanding of fiber optic cable assembly processes, materials, and test methods.
* Strong background in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and statistical process control.
* Experience working in ISO 13485 / regulated medical device manufacturing environments.
* Ability to interpret engineering drawings, optical specifications, and customer requirements.
Leadership & Personal Attributes
* Highly hands-on engineer who leads by example on the manufacturing floor.
* Comfortable fixing inherited or legacy manufacturing challenges rather than working around them.
* Strong communicator who collaborates effectively across Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
* Continuous improvement mindset aligned with Innofiber's Kaizen culture.
Why Innofiber?
This role offers the opportunity to shape manufacturing capability and execution within a fast-growing photonics organization. As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Innofiber, you will directly influence product success, operational scalability, and long-term manufacturing excellence.
Department:
Engineering
Employment Type:
Full-Time
Compensation: $70,000 - $100,000
APPLY HERE:
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