Manufacturing Engineer 3 New Product Introduction (NPI)

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

7h•$125,000 - $175,000

About The Position

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as an NPI Manufacturing Engineer. As we scale our latest high-technology laser sub-assemblies and systems, you will be the critical link between engineering and the production floor. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You will influence design for manufacturability (DFM), develop cutting-edge assembly, test, and verification processes, and ensure our newest products are ready for the world. Your key responsibilities are as follows: Design for Excellence (DFX): Partner with the engineering team to influence the design of laser sub-assemblies, ensuring they are optimized for assembly, alignment, and high-yield scalability. Process Development: Develop, characterize, and validate new manufacturing processes involving precision optics, adhesive bonding, laser performance, and system testing. Tooling & Fixturing: Design and procure custom jigs and automated fixtures to support the assembly of complex opto-mechanical components. Pilot Execution: Initiate "Alpha" and "Beta" builds, performing root cause analysis on failures and documenting iterative improvements to the manufacturing process. Technical Documentation: Create detailed Work Instructions (WIs) and Manufacturing Process Specifications (MPS) to ensure a seamless handoff to the production team.

Requirements

Export Control: This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).
A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in a high-tech, highly automated, cleanroom manufacturing environment (Aerospace, Semiconductor, or Medical Device preferred).
A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, specifically in NPI or hardware development for complex opto-electronic systems.
Demonstrated success in transitioning products from prototype to volume production.
Proficiency in mechanical CAD (SolidWorks or NX) and quantitative analysis tools.
Experience with high-precision assembly (micron-level tolerances) and cleanroom protocols (ISO 5-7).
Working knowledge of electro-optical systems performance and testing preferred.
You are creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats while remaining comfortable with the ambiguity of a developing product line.
BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
5+ years of relevant experience in photonics or optoelectronic process development
3+ years of experience using manufacturing process equipment such as die bonders, wire bonders, vacuum reflow systems, active alignment platforms, or laser welding systems
Comfortable operating in an evolving environment with changing priorities
Motivated by building new capabilities and infrastructure from the ground up
Willing to take ownership across multiple technical domains
Hands-on and resourceful, with a strong bias toward execution

Nice To Haves

Experience with laser diodes, PICs, modulators, detectors, or optical transceivers
Familiarity with hermetic packaging (butterfly, TO, or micro-optical packages)
Experience with active alignment systems
Reliability testing experience (thermal cycling, HTOL, damp heat)
Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and manufacturing metrics
Experience supporting low- to medium-volume production environments
Fixture and mechanism design experience in precision systems

Responsibilities

Design for Excellence (DFX): Partner with the engineering team to influence the design of laser sub-assemblies, ensuring they are optimized for assembly, alignment, and high-yield scalability.
Process Development: Develop, characterize, and validate new manufacturing processes involving precision optics, adhesive bonding, laser performance, and system testing.
Tooling & Fixturing: Design and procure custom jigs and automated fixtures to support the assembly of complex opto-mechanical components.
Pilot Execution: Initiate "Alpha" and "Beta" builds, performing root cause analysis on failures and documenting iterative improvements to the manufacturing process.
Technical Documentation: Create detailed Work Instructions (WIs) and Manufacturing Process Specifications (MPS) to ensure a seamless handoff to the production team.