Process Automation Engineer

Hybrid Role in NPI Operations for Co-Packaged OpticsYou'll join NPI Operations for Co-Packaged Optics — a growing team spanning four functions and four sites that leads the product lifecycle from concept through end of life. We take photonic and optical products from build through qualification, transfer them to contract manufacturers, and sustain them in volume. This role sits within the Process & Automation Equipment function, which owns product bring-up at the contract manufacturer: defining the equipment needed to scale to production, structuring the manufacturing line, and handing off to regional operations after first customer ship before moving to the next program. Reporting into Process and Automation, you'll work alongside Program Management and the Center of Perfection move each product from prototype to sustained volume.Your ImpactOwn the process and automation strategy for optical product manufacturing — define process flows, equipment requirements, alignment approaches, and automation needs for critical assembly steps, with emphasis on fiber attach, detachable and permanent fiber bundles, aligner development, and product manufacturing readiness.Drive early engagement for design-for-manufacturing and design-for-cost — work with engineering, operations, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to influence platform decisions early and improve manufacturability, automation feasibility, and scalable cost structures.Develop and refine manufacturing processes for scale — improve yield, cycle time, repeatability, and operational adaptability for new and existing optical product platforms, ensuring processes can support ramp and long-term manufacturing needs. Identify choke points, solve equipment and process gaps and ensure capability supports delivery.Identify and qualify the equipment for CPO/NPO — evaluate and select capital equipment across die and flip-chip attach, hybrid bonding, fiber-array attach, laser attach, encapsulation, laser burn-in, and wafer-, engine-, and module-level optical/electrical test. Collaborate and develop equipment solutions with vendors for scale on an immature, fast paced equipment landscape, and drive vendor development where the tools don't yet exist.Support transfer from NPI to production — qualify and hand off validated equipment, process flows, documentation, and operating knowledge to internal operations teams and contract manufacturing partners so that transfers are balanced and repeatable.Minimum qualifications10+ years' experience in process, equipment, and/or test engineering in optics, opto-electronics, or semiconductor packaging, including NPI and transfer to production.BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics/Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials, or a related field, or equivalent experience.Demonstrated experience defining, specifying, evaluating, or qualifying capital equipment working directly with suppliers and/or contract manufacturers.Strong technical communication, problem-solving, and multi-functional execution skills related to design-for-manufacturing, design-for-cost, or manufacturing cost modeling.Curiosity about using AI or digital tools to improve manufacturing analysis, process monitoring, or operational decision-making.Preferred skillsMaster's degree or equivalent experience in relevant field.Experience with fiber attach, optical alignment systems, or automated optical assembly processes development and qualification (DOE, SPC, PFMEA, capability studies).Exposure to next-generation optics manufacturing concepts, including CPO/NPO or related sophisticated process development.