SUMMARY:

Manufacturing Engineer II is a technical contributor to Operational Excellence, responsible for implementing and maintaining assigned new and existing projects and for driving post-launch continuous improvement on those processes. This role is a technical interface between Operations, R&D Engineering, Program Management, Quality, and Systems Testing, and applies the production process flow with direction from senior engineers and the Manufacturing Engineering Manager.

The goal of this position is to enhance manufacturing productivity and reduce operational costs on assigned products while supporting launch readiness and sustaining production. The Manufacturing Engineer II owns assigned process flow, nonconformance disposition, and basic structured problem solving, and is expected to improve yield, cost, or cycle time on that work. Independent ownership of a metrology method or a cross-functional project grows as competence is demonstrated.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO):

Implementation of New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Support the successful transition of new products by assisting with pilot production, manufacturing readiness review, test readiness review, and product verification (First Article), and lead the pilot-readiness items assigned to this role.
• Provide feedback on manufacturability feasibility, equipment, space, and resources needed, and on design standards for assigned products.
• Establish the physical production flow for assigned operations, including process flowcharts, routing steps, and labor estimates.
• Consult with Assembly and System Test leads to establish routing steps and estimated labor times.
• Review bill of materials structure and assist in customer-led design review efforts of existing projects.
• Create applicable processes and work instructions related to the assigned project

Sustaining Activities and Troubleshooting

• Provide critical technical support to maintain production flow on assigned operations, and own the disposition phase of the nonconformance process for assigned established products.
• Resolve assigned issues through root cause analysis using lean methods, including Ishikawa diagrams, 5-Why, 8D, and Pareto charts, and record the result.
• Implement corrective and preventative actions to eliminate recurrence on assigned issues, and confirm the action held.
• Support design of experiments, verification activities, and analytical testing used to qualify a material, process, or fix.
• Analyze optical, mechanical, electrical, or metrology issues in operations by preparing fixtures, collecting data, and documenting results.
• Provide feedback on exception requests for quality or customer needs, and report potential on-time issues with a proposed mitigation.

Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement

• Drive efficiency, cost reduction, and throughput on assigned processes using lean and statistical tools.
• Assist with value stream observations and identify waste. Future state development on a full flow is performed with a senior engineer.
• Develop and analyze trends using control plans, gauge repeatability and reproducibility, and statistical process control.
• Conduct time studies, layout observations, and yield and scrap analysis in SAP and Excel to minimize scrap and reduce rework.
• Specify and prove simple tools, jigs, fixtures, and poke-yoke devices. Build and align test fixtures for assigned optical methods, including interferometry and MTF setups.
• Identify improvements and initiate engineering change requests. Update router steps where quality or cost improves and design intent is unchanged.

Generate or Improve Documentation & Compliance

• Generate and maintain work instructions, procedures, and forms related to assigned projects and processes.
• Support engineering change implementation by updating bills of materials and instructions.
• Capture lessons learned from assigned builds and tests.
• Participate in operational, quality, and 5S audits on assigned areas, and support process failure mode and effects analysis.
• Train technicians or newer engineers on assigned standard work and on released optical test methods.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BS in Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of related experience in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio).
• Experienced in the use of scientific programming for the purpose of mathematical analysis and data representation.
• Understanding of drawing specifications, geometric tolerances, classification of fit.
• Experienced in LEAN manufacturing principles and their implementation into a manufacturing environment.
• Experienced with quality improvement tools and techniques (Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control, and FMEA).
• Proficient in ERP software, preferably SAP, and able to apply it to the sites nonconformance process.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines required.
• Must possess the following soft skills: attention to detail, clear communicator, customer focus, prioritization, respecting others, problem solving, and teamwork.
• Must be able to comply with policies and procedures when visiting any facility outside of Jenoptik, such as customer, supplier, & manufacturer sites, as well as conferences, trade shows or off-site training.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• BS in optical science / engineering, highly preferred.
• Related manufacturing experience in an optics laboratory.
• Experienced with optical testing methods & metrology tools such as interferometry, MTF testing, and image analysis software.
• Experienced with precision optical alignment and proper handling of optical components.
• Experience manufacturing in an ISO 9001 or ISO 13485 environment.
• Experienced working within ESD-controlled and cleanroom environments, as well as laser safety guideline.
• Knowledgeable with handling, operation, and computer-control of digital imaging sensors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use of hands or fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls and keyboarding; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.