Manufacturing Engineer III

Cohu•San Diego, CA

17d•$98,000 - $108,000

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineer III partners with Design Engineering across the product lifecycle to improve manufacturability, assembly, testability, quality, and cost. The role incorporates production, site-transfer, and field-performance lessons into product designs; conducts DFM/DFA reviews; evaluates product documentation; and leads manufacturing assessments and implementation of engineering changes. It also designs, develops, and procures tooling, fixtures, and test equipment. The position develops, qualifies, and optimizes assembly and test processes from prototype through full-rate production. Responsibilities include creating work instructions and test documentation; defining process flows, cycle times, line balance requirements, and process controls; supporting prototype, pilot, and first-production builds; and working with Quality Engineering to resolve manufacturing and quality issues through root-cause analysis and corrective actions. The role leads product transfers to Asia manufacturing sites and contract manufacturers, prepares transfer packages, trains operators and other teams, and supports manufacturing readiness and production ramp-up. It also provides sustaining engineering support for component obsolescence, technical issues, post-launch investigations, validation of product, process, and supplier changes, cost reduction, and continuous improvement. The work takes place in laboratory, engineering, and manufacturing production-floor environments, including ESD-controlled areas, with intermittent production noise. Extended assignments at global manufacturing sites and travel of up to 25% may be required. The position involves frequent computer and keyboard use, occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds, and standing and walking for extended periods.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 8 years of Manufacturing Engineering or New Product Introduction (NPI) experience supporting the manufacture and test of complex electro-mechanical or opto-electro-mechanical products.
Proven experience leading products from late-stage development through production launch.
Hands-on experience driving DFM/DFA reviews, engineering changes, and manufacturing process development.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing and test processes, including DFM/DFA, GD&T, SPC, FMEA, control plans, process capability, line balancing, and critical process control.
Experience with BOM management and engineering change control, ERP and PLM systems, test fixture and tooling design, and assembly and test troubleshooting.
Proficiency in SolidWorks, including fixture and tooling design, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to read electrical schematics and engineering drawings.
Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with and train cross-functional, global, and multicultural teams.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time, including to global factory and customer locations.

Nice To Haves

Experience transferring products to offshore manufacturing or contract manufacturing environments.
Experience with capital equipment, semiconductor test handlers, automation systems, or similar complex equipment.

Responsibilities

Partner with Design Engineering throughout the product lifecycle to optimize manufacturability, assembly, testability, quality, and cost, incorporating production, site-transfer, and field-performance lessons into future product designs.
Conduct DFM/DFA reviews and evaluate bills of materials, drawings, specifications, and product documentation.
Lead manufacturing assessments and implementation of engineering change orders.
Design, develop, and procure tooling, fixtures, and test equipment to support manufacturability, assembly efficiency, and testability.
Develop, qualify, and optimize assembly and test processes from prototype through full-rate production.
Create and maintain visual work instructions, manufacturing procedures, and test documentation.
Define process flows, cycle times, line balance requirements, and critical process controls.
Support prototype, pilot, and first-production builds and product launches.
Partner with Quality Engineering to resolve manufacturing and quality challenges through root-cause analysis and corrective actions, improving yield, reliability, throughput, and defect performance.
Lead product transfers to Asia manufacturing sites and contract manufacturing partners.
Develop and maintain transfer packages, including BOMs, standardized work instructions, process specifications, tooling documentation, and test procedures.
Train operators, technicians, field service teams, suppliers, and contract manufacturers on manufacturing and test processes.
Assess manufacturing readiness and provide on-site and remote launch support during production ramp-up.
Support component obsolescence management by identifying, qualifying, and implementing replacement parts.
Resolve technical issues involving drawings, manufacturing processes, purchased components, subassemblies, and outsourced production.
Lead investigations and resolution of post-launch manufacturing, quality, and reliability issues.
Develop and execute validation activities for product, process, and supplier changes supporting released products.
Drive cost reduction and continuous improvement through alternate component qualification, process optimization, and implementation of lessons learned.