Lead, Optics Process Engineer (Manufacturing Engineer)

L3HHCM20•Town of Gates, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

L3Harris’s Optics department in Rochester, NY, is seeking a dedicated Optical Process Engineer to support the production of top-tier optical components for advanced astronomical, high-energy laser, and earth imaging applications. As an Optical Process Engineer specializing in conventional optical processes, you will play a key role in the manufacture of mission‑critical optical components. You’ll leverage your expertise in grinding and polishing to improve performance, reliability, and throughput across our optical fabrication cell. This is a hands‑on engineering role where you will drive complex process initiatives, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and ensure our conventional grinding and polishing operations meet demanding optical tolerances and production goals. You’ll have the opportunity to innovate, mentor others, and directly influence the quality and capability of next‑generation optical products.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
Professional experience working with conventional optics process physics, removal models, and defect mechanisms.
Professional experience working with drawing changes, supplier agreements, and customer acceptance criteria.
Professional experience in establishing standards and driving sustained adoption on the factory floor.
Ability to obtain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

Strong data analytics and ability to synthesize for program management/leadership decisions.
Experience with large‑aperture optics and advanced materials (Zerodur/ULE/Fused Quartz).
Track record of capital planning and selection for Blanchard/overarm/continuous polishing assets.
Supplier partnership to tailor pad/pitch/slurry and establish long‑term consistency agreements.

Responsibilities

Define standards for conventional grinding/polishing, blocking/de‑blocking, and mechanical metrology across product families.
Lead new product introductions: processing flows, readiness gates, resource planning.
Own tolerance budgets spanning grind allowance, blocking imprint control, polish convergence, and final verification.
Author manufacturing instructions, audit execution, and drive harmonization across operators.
Set fixture strategy (modular designs, ergonomic handling, contamination control, protective surfaces); own configuration control and refresh cycles.
Drive automation/error‑proofing (e.g., fixtures with poka‑yoke features, standardized workflows) to reduce human error and variation.
Champion consumable lifecycle management (pitch/pad/slurry) including sourcing, qualification, inventory strategy, and cost‑of‑quality analysis.
Support customer engagements on process capability, acceptance criteria, and manufacturability; prepare technical position papers and risk mitigations.
Mentor engineers; build training and certification frameworks that scale best practices.
Support Manufacturing Readiness Reviews and program readiness; own go/no‑go criteria and deviation management.