Data Quality Analyst - Intern

IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading producer of fiber lasers and amplifiers. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, IPG has over 4,800 employees in more than 30 locations around the world. We aspire to work together with our employees and customers to apply light in ways that improve life.

Our mission is to develop innovative laser solutions to make the world a better place. To accomplish this mission, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and an engaged and thriving workforce that drives a sustainable future for our company and society.

Working at IPG Photonics you can expect challenging projects, a motivating and friendly environment, and competitive benefits.

Position Summary:

The Quality Data Analyst Co‑op will support the Quality department by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data generated from manufacturing processes, testing operations, and customer feedback. This role is ideal for a student pursuing a technical or engineering degree with strong analytical skills and an interest in quality systems, data analytics, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Extract, clean, and analyze quality related datasets from manufacturing, test, and service systems.
• Create dashboards, charts, and visual reports to identify trends, anomalies, and root causes.
• Support investigation and troubleshooting efforts for nonconformities, yield issues, and process deviations.
• Maintain and update quality documentation, reports, and records.
• Support quality engineers with data preparation for corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), 8D reports, and internal audits.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams (Manufacturing, R&D, Test, Supply Chain) to gather data and communicate findings.
• Recommend data driven improvements to enhance product quality and operational metrics.

Data Visualization Responsibilities (Integrated):

• Develop clear, insightful data visualizations to support quality investigations, trend analysis, and reporting.
• Build and maintain dashboards using tools such as Excel, Power BI, or other industry standard visualization libraries.
• Transform large, complex datasets into user-friendly charts, graphs, and layouts that help engineers and leadership quickly understand issues and performance.
• Present visual findings during team meetings and help communicate quality metrics to cross functional stakeholders.
• Ensure consistency in formatting, labeling, and visual standards across recurring quality reports.

Required Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Excel (pivot tables, functions, charts); experience with Python, R, SQL, or Power BI is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret data, draw conclusions, and present results clearly.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and able to handle multiple tasks.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using statistical tools (SPC, Minitab, JMP, or similar).
• Familiarity with quality methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis).
• Exposure to manufacturing environments or complex electro‑optical systems.
• Understanding of data visualization tools or dashboarding.

By the end of the co‑op, the student will gain experience with:

• Real‑world quality and reliability engineering and data analytics.
• Statistical methods used in high‑tech manufacturing.
• Working cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced engineering environment.
• Using data to support continuous improvement and reliability initiatives.