Manufacturing Engineer III

Cohu•San Diego, CA

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineer III partners with Design Engineering throughout the product lifecycle to optimize manufacturability, assembly, testability, quality, and cost. The role incorporates lessons learned from production, site transfers, and field performance into future product designs; conducts DFM/DFA reviews; evaluates product documentation; and leads manufacturing assessments and engineering change implementation. The position develops, qualifies, and optimizes assembly and test processes from prototype through full-rate production. It creates work instructions and manufacturing documentation, defines process flows and controls, supports product builds and launches, and leads resolution of manufacturing and quality challenges in partnership with Quality Engineering. The role leads product transfers to Asia manufacturing sites and contract manufacturing partners, prepares transfer documentation, trains manufacturing and service personnel, and supports readiness and production ramp-up. It also supports sustaining engineering through obsolescence management, technical issue resolution, validation of product, process, and supplier changes, and cost-reduction and continuous-improvement initiatives. The work takes place in laboratory, engineering, and manufacturing production-floor environments, including ESD-controlled areas. Frequent exposure to manufacturing equipment and intermittent production noise is expected. Extended assignments at global manufacturing sites may be required. Travel of up to 25% may include global factories and customer locations. The estimated base pay range is $98,000 to $108,000 per year, depending on qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related factors; the role may also be eligible for other compensation programs under company policy.

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 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.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally and to stand and walk for extended periods in manufacturing environments.
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 lessons learned from production, site transfers, and field performance into future 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.
Lead manufacturing and quality problem resolution with Quality Engineering, using root-cause analysis and corrective actions to improve yield, reliability, throughput, and defect performance.
Lead product transfer activities 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 related to 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 lessons-learned implementation.