Interim Process Engineering Manager

Who We Are

At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a massively growing market. We are a leading provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications, to name a few. Our lasers are changing not only the way things are made, but also changing the things that can be made.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

We're seeking an interim Process Engineering Manager to ensure continuity and leadership during an employee’s scheduled leave of absence. In this position, you will enable development of next generation semiconductor lasers from concept to volume manufacturing by managing process engineering teams. Lead cross functional teams in continuous improvement activities of manufacturing processes, support and sustain product quality. We're looking for a highly motivated leader with a proven track record of leading and developing people, Lean manufacturing initiatives, and continuous improvement.

This position is anticipated to last approximately 9 months, with some expected overlap. At the end of this temporary role, the candidate may have further opportunities to continue employment with the company.

• Provide technical leadership to the laser fabrication process engineering team in an optoelectronics manufacturing facility.
• Support government and internally funded research and development programs by providing scientific guidance for new laser device designs and processes.
• Assist nLIGHT’s senior management team by providing scientific input into strategic plans and analyzing objectives for development of new dielectric passivation, optical coatings and metal contact materials for next generation products.
• Identify and lead opportunities for advanced thin film deposition processes utilizing plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition processes, magnetron sputter deposition processes, ion-beam deposited processes and ion-assisted electron beam evaporation processes by designing and performing deposition process development experiments.
• Manage & conduct structural, compositional, optical and electrical characterization of materials and root cause failure analysis of processes employing in-house and external analytical tools/techniques.
• Summarize and present results in internal and external forums. Prepare written reports, research papers and technical documents.
• Drive continuous improvement opportunities and yield metrics utilizing wide variety of analytical techniques (such as SPC, DOE, Gage R&R), lean manufacturing and six sigma concepts.
• Support transition of new products from prototype to volume production utilizing DFSS and DFM.

• Ideal candidate will have 5+ years of research/development /manufacturing experience in semiconductor manufacturing processes and III/V optoelectronics process technology.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in leading, motivating and managing a highly qualified technical teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Optical, Physics, Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical) or exceptional industrial experience in closely related technologies. Advanced Degree preferred.
• Strong knowledge of semiconductor device physics, generation and propagation of light and electrical transport in solid materials and the interaction of photons, electrons and ions with matter.
• Expertise in semiconductor process technology, science and technology of thin films, process design and device fabrication, materials synthesis and characterization techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve fabrication process problems in a manufacturing environment by using structured methodologies and implementing robust solutions.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with cross functional, multi-cultural teams.
• Experience qualifying new processes and equipment and into volume production preferred.
• Green Belt, Black Belt or Lean Expert Preferred.

This is a fixed‑term (approximately 9 months), exempt role with a competitive salary…