Fabrication Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Budd Lake

Job Description

Advanced Optical & Crystal Fabrication

Join a team pushing the limits of precision manufacturing. As a Fabrication Manufacturing Engineer, you'll play a critical role in developing and scaling advanced polishing and finishing processes for high-performance crystals and exotic optical substrates. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where deep technical expertise meets real-world production challenges.

Core Responsibilities

Process Innovation & Development

• Lead the development, optimization, and transfer of advanced polishing and finishing processes for NLO crystal and exotic materials including oxides, fluorides, Ge, Si, and sapphire.
• Drive process capability, yield improvement, and manufacturability from prototype through production.

Advanced Optical Fabrication

• Execute and oversee high-precision fabrication operations such as CNC generating, deterministic corrective finishing, and manual pitch or pad polishing.
• Work with complex optical geometries including aspheres and freeform surfaces.

Metrology & Quality Assurance

• Ensure world-class optical quality using interferometry (flats and spheres), X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystal orientation, and spectrophotometry.
• Translate metrology data into actionable process improvements.

Production & Troubleshooting Support

• Partner with the production floor to troubleshoot equipment and process issues using structured root cause failure analysis (RCFA).
• Implement robust technical solutions that improve yield, repeatability, and throughput.

Tooling & Fixture Design

• Design or support custom fixtures and tooling to enable fabrication of delicate, unconventional, or challenging crystal geometries.

Continuous Improvement & Automation

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, including automation, robotics, and advanced process controls to scale manufacturing excellence.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field required.
• Master's or PhD preferred for highly specialized crystal or optical roles.

Crystal & Materials Expertise

• Demonstrated experience handling and processing crystals, including crystal orientation (e.g., C-axis sapphire).
• Strong understanding of how crystal properties influence optical and mechanical performance.

Manufacturing Experience

• 7+ years in an optics manufacturing or production environment.
• Hands-on experience with CNC machining, diamond turning, and double-sided polishing.

Technical Tools

• Proficiency with CAD tools such as Solid Works or AutoCAD.
• Experience using data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python to drive process decisions.

Key Skills & Strengths

• Analytical Excellence:
  Strong command of Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Mechanical Aptitude:
  Comfortable maintaining, improving, and debugging fabrication equipment.
• Leadership & Communication:
  Ability to mentor technicians, collaborate cross-functionally, and clearly communicate technical risks and tradeoffs to leadership or external partners.

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, 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.

Culture Commitment

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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