PMO Process Engineer

The Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining precision molded optics manufacturing processes to ensure the production of high-quality optical components that meet customer specifications and business objectives. This role supports process development, equipment qualification, yield improvement, defect reduction, cost optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives within a high-volume manufacturing environment.

The Process Engineer serves as a technical expert for molding processes, optical metrology, tooling, and manufacturing systems, collaborating closely with Production, Quality, Tooling, Maintenance, R&D, and Product Engineering teams to drive operational excellence and product performance.

Responsibilities:

Process Development & Optimization

· Develop, implement, and optimize precision molded optics manufacturing processes.

· Establish process parameters for molding operations.

· Conduct designed experiments (DOE) to improve yield, capability, and process robustness.

· Analyze process data and identify opportunities for cycle time reduction, scrap reduction, and productivity improvements.

· Validate and document process changes through engineering change control procedures.

Manufacturing Support

· Provide day-to-day technical support for production operations.

· Troubleshoot molding defects including surface imperfections, form errors, contamination, and dimensional nonconformities.

· Work closely with production personnel to resolve process issues and minimize downtime.

· Develop work instructions, process documentation, control plans, and standard operating procedures.

Equipment & Tooling Management

· Support installation, qualification, and validation of molding equipment and automation systems.

· Collaborate with tooling engineers on mold design, maintenance, and optimization.

· Monitor equipment performance and identify improvement opportunities.

· Lead process qualifications for new tooling, materials, and manufacturing technologies.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

· Utilize Statistical Process Control (SPC) and data analytics to monitor and improve process performance.

· Support root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, Fishbone Analysis, FMEA, and Six Sigma tools.

· Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for quality issues.

· Ensure compliance with customer requirements, ISO standards, and internal quality systems.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

· Support transfer of new optical products from development to production.

· Participate in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews.

· Develop process qualifications, validation protocols, and production readiness plans.

· Collaborate with customers and engineering teams during product launches.

Experience/Qualifications:

· Bachelor's degree in engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related technical field.

· 3+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience.

· Strong understanding of statistical analysis and process control techniques.

· Experience troubleshooting complex manufacturing processes.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and data analysis tools.

· Must be authorized to work and reside in the US and must be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government to confirm with, but not limited to, U.S. export control regulations (ITAR).

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in precision molded optics, optical components, photonics, or advanced manufacturing industries.

· Knowledge of optical metrology equipment such as interferometers, profilometers, spectrophotometers, and coordinate measurement systems.

· Experience with DOE, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.

· Familiarity with automation systems, robotics, and machine vision.

· Experience with Minitab, JMP, MATLAB, or similar analytical software.

· Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.