NPI Cross-site Engineer

At Coherent, we leverage expertise across multiple international sites to deliver world-leading ultrafast laser systems.

Our facility in Kaiserslautern, Germany, is a dedicated design centre specialising in the development of very high-power industrial picosecond (ps) and femtosecond (fs) laser systems. Backed by decades of experience, this site features an exceptional team of design engineers and customer-facing specialists, maintaining close, trusted relationships with industry-leading customers and partners.

In Glasgow, Scotland, Coherent maintains a combined design and manufacturing facility, recognised globally as a Centre of Excellence for ultrafast lasers. Here, we translate advanced designs into robust, scalable and commercially successful products, supported by manufacturing expertise and operational excellence.

All laser systems designed at Coherent Kaiserslautern are manufactured exclusively at our Glasgow facility. This clear division means that while Kaiserslautern is responsible for innovation, development, and detailed engineering design, the complete production, assembly, and testing of these high-performance laser systems take place in Glasgow.

Critical to the success of these products is the close cooperation between design and manufacturing teams. The role of NPI Cross-site Engineer is specifically created to facilitate seamless product transfer between Kaiserslautern and Glasgow. Based in Glasgow, this position will formally report into the Kaiserslautern design team. The successful candidate will spend focused periods in Germany becoming an expert in new technologies, designs, and systems, subsequently transferring this expertise into the Glasgow manufacturing environment and providing technical support throughout initial production phases.

The New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineering team is responsible for the introduction of new products, product variations and changes to our production lines of industrial ultrashort pulse lasers. By coordination and collaboration with cross functional teams, we ensure that products, tools and processes of the highest quality are transferred to the manufacturing site. We are the leading department to drive innovation in manufacturing, e.g. by usage of automation and AI, with the goal of shortening time-to-market, reducing production costs and maximising yield.

The main task of an NPI Cross-site Engineer is knowledge transfer from the design to the manufacturing site, working closely with both teams in all phases of product development, and providing on-site technical support during the initial production phase.

As an NPI Cross-site Engineer will be based at Coherent Glasgow site working closely with and reporting to the Coherent Kaiserslautern site. The successful candidate will act as a bridge for the transfer of products from design to manufacturing. On-site presence in Kaiserslautern during the development stages will be required for training and Prototype builds. The successful candidate will then use the expertise gained from working closely on site with the design team in Germany, to the manufacturing site in Glasgow where you will train, troubleshoot and carry out NPI activities.

The position is highly cross-functional and requires effective team collaboration in a fast-paced international environment. A high level of flexibility and willingness to travel & stay abroad periodically (dependent on project life cycle phase) is required.

• Introduction and transfer of new laser products, product variations and changes into manufacturing.
• Participation in development phases at Coherent Kaiserslautern, Germany with the focus on prototype builds, design review, process and tools definition with a representation of NPI & Manufacturing KPIs.
• Participation in pilot phases at Coherent Glasgow, Scotland with the focus on training and supporting laser production operators.
• Participation in engineering release phases at Coherent Glasgow, Scotland with the focus on Manufacturing KPIs improvement (Touch Time, Yield, Cycle Time).
• Cooperation with Manufacturing Engineering and Production departments at Coherent Glasgow,…