Senior Assembly Process Engineer

Overview:

This job description outlines a leadership role responsible for driving high-performance team development and leading critical projects to ensure successful delivery within budget and schedule. The incumbent will collaborate across functions to support product realization, manufacturing readiness, and continuous process improvement, ensuring quality, yield, and operational excellence. Following project transfer, the incumbent will be responsible for the ongoing sustainment of the product line.

Job Description:

• Develop and design process workflows for ultra-clean product assembly in semiconductor manufacturing environments.
• Lead the transfer and development of new manufacturing processes for the series production of assemblies and products, particularly in optical fiber and electronic board assembly.
• Implement customer cleanliness requirements within cleanroom environments and establish process specifications to ensure stable series production conditions.
• Optimize assembly processes for series production and internal procedures to improve productivity, efficiency, cost, and quality.
• Mentor and develop the team to achieve high performance and drive continuous improvement in assembly processes for semiconductor and life science applications.
• Apply expertise in optical fiber assembly and industry-specific standards for contamination control commonly used in semiconductor and precision optics manufacturing.
• Collaborate closely with the Project Team to meet technical budgets and ensure successful execution of technical projects and customer requirements. Oversee task planning, prioritize critical activities, and ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Implement engineering controls and training programs to support a zero-incident safety culture, including laser safety risk assessments and audits.
• Ensure the timely closure of RFQs by monitoring, tracking, and reporting Turnaround Time (TAT).
• Lead customer communications during technical escalations and report project progress and key issues to management.
• Ensure operational readiness and successful project handover from development to production.
• Drive Design for Manufacture (DFM) principles to maximize product quality and yield at every stage of the product realization process.
• Lead testing strategies, process development activities, and design reviews for new products.
• Prepare and document manufacturing processes for production transfer, including leading risk assessments and tooling development.
• Implement process controls, support technician training, and resolve technical issues using Statistical Process Control (SPC), 8D, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance yield and efficiency while reducing waste and manufacturing costs.
• Participate in local source qualification programs.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Precision Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a technical, engineering, or manufacturing environment, preferably within optical, laser, semiconductor, or precision manufacturing cleanroom environments.
• Proven experience in team leadership within mechanical, optical, laser, fiber, or precision product development and manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience in Design for Manufacture (DFM), New Product Introduction (NPI), product realization, manufacturing readiness, and process development.
• Demonstrated experience in process improvement and problem-solving using Design of Experiments (DOE), 8D, FMEA, SPC, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis, process optimization, process controls, and quality assurance systems.
• Experience in optical fiber, laser, or precision assembly, including relevant fiber processing and assembly techniques. Experience commissioning test and metrology systems is an advantage.
• Proficiency in stringent cleaning requirements and contamination control, preferably within semiconductors, precision optics, or other ultra-clean manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and AS9100-certified environments.
• Experience interfacing with customers and leading technical discussions, escalations, and problem resolution.
• Strong project management skills, including project planning, execution, risk management, stakeholder coordination, and production handovers.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of Residual Gas Analysis (RGA) process controls is an advantage.
• Professional certification in Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or Quality Management, such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Competence in preparing and maintaining technical documentation required for the manufacturing and testing of precision clean assemblies for semiconductors and life science applications.
• Knowledge of ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• Laser Safety certification recognized by the National Environment Agency (NEA) is advantageous.