Engineering Manager

Coherent is a world leader of lasers and laser-based technology for materials processing, microelectronics, scientific, life sciences and medical customers. Put your talents to work at Coherent where you can create and innovate enabling technologies that will push the frontiers of science and technology.

Our team is seeking an Engineering Manager (laser sub-systems) at our Bloomfield, CT location.  The successful candidate will help the team execute on business-critical development new product development and sustaining engineering projects in major emerging and existing markets with state-of-the-art laser systems technology. We're looking for technical managers who can lead and manage engineers within a team that takes on difficult unstructured technology challenges. The role requires solid organizational skills and strong technical competence related to lasers and instrumentation.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage a team of 4-10 engineers designing new laser systems for advanced applications, and sustaining existing released products.
• Effectively allocate the time of engineering resources between advanced product design projects and product engineering activities, including Continuous Improvement Projects.
• Support of NPI projects as they move through the development cycle through engineering team leadership.  The goal is to ensure a smooth transition from R&D to production.  Once the product is released, product engineers within the team become the primary engineering support for the product.  Part of the team's involvement with the NPI process is to come to establish a high level of understanding to provide this later level of product support.
• Working with the team, provide guidance to customers on product function and performance, which may include providing design guidelines to support customer system development.
• Engage in the early and mid-stages of product design, working with the engineering team, to ensure the product is designed to required specifications, while being highly reliable and manufacturable.
• Instill system-level design concepts and thinking within the team, and help diffuse this across the broader organization.
• Collaborate with a larger team of optical, electronic, software, reliability, applications, marketing and research managers and professionals to tackle cross-functional challenges.
• Provide the first level of engineering response to production issues that cannot be managed by the manufacturing engineering staff, by effectively allocating engineering resources.  Coach team to provide problem solving support based on knowledge of the various subsystems and the design approach of the system. 
• Coordinate all product based (as opposed to process based) engineering activities focused on the given product line.  Must have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated success working in a team environment.
• Identify opportunities and establish projects to improve product quality, reduce product cost, and to drive towards a reliable and lean manufacturing flow.
• Oversee the team's management of product changes utilizing PDM system (Agile). 
• Assess impact and coordinate response to material quality issues and material source of supply issues.
• Effectively mentor and grow engineers on the team to become future technical and people leaders in the organization. 

Education & Experience

Desired Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree and > 5 years of engineering program or people management experience 
• CO₂ laser experience. Laser systems product development and customer engineering support experience a plus.
• Experience as an engineering manager in R&D and/or product engineering within advanced technology industries such as photonics, electronics, semiconductors, robotics, quantum, and related fields.
• Hands-on experience in at least two of the four noted engineering disciplines – optical/laser systems, mechanical, electrical/electronic, controls & software.   The successful candidate will also demonstrate willingness and self-motivation to pursue and quickly expand knowledge within those fields where experience is lacking, in order to better manage the engineering team.
• Experience with laser systems product development 
• Knowledge and experience in implementing system-level design methods and concepts.
• Experience in mentoring and coaching junior engineers

Minimum Qualifications

• •M.S. degree and > 7 years of engineering program or people management experience

Skills

• A well rounded individual with experience managing engineering teams or managing large engineering programs.
• Mind-set to constantly pursue the basic understanding or root cause of problems and to continually improve products and processes. 
• Experience with cross-disciplinary Systems Engineering related to photonics technologies and products
• Experience with automated instrumentation, laser measurement. and alignment
• Proven problem-solving abilities, utilizing both creativity and fundamental analytical skills.
• Self-motivation and the ability to maintain effectiveness in working several complex tasks in parallel while bringing each to a thorough conclusion, in a timely manner. 
• Personal time management, project management, and organizational skills.  And the ability to create and clearly articulate work plans, schedules, and resource requirements. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with perspective and comfort in dealing with the big picture and business view of both project and the relationship with others. 
• Ability to work on and complete multiple complex independent tasks in to mutually agreed upon schedules.  
• Ability to specify budgets, work scope, and allocate resources
• Ability to specify and check engineering and product changes in a way that helps ensure mistakes are not carried over into the manufacturing environment, often by working through a team. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of lean manufacturing and 6-Sigma principles desired
• Learns quickly and demonstrates aptitude for growth and development
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Responsive and reliable - Can be counted on by others.
• Identifies creative solutions/approaches to problems/projects.

Working Conditions

• Office environment and potential work in a laboratory are expected

Physical Requirements

• Work in a laser laboratory with potential occasional lifting of heavy equipment or parts.

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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