Manufacturing Engineer

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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
  .

• 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.

• 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.

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