NPI Lead

Job Title

Lead New Product Introduction Programs

Key Responsibilities

• Lead NPI programs through the full phase-gate process; serve as the central coordination point between PLM, R&D, Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, and Supply Chain to align priorities, actions, and timelines.
• Develop and maintain program plans, milestone trackers, action registers, risk assessments, and status updates to ensure visibility and accountability.
• Coordinate the transition of new products, processes, or technical capabilities from development into production, ensuring readiness for manufacturing, quality, documentation, and operational support.
• Organize and lead phase-gate reviews, readiness reviews, technical reviews, and post-launch lessons learned.
• Identify technical, manufacturing, quality, and schedule risks early; drive mitigation plans with the appropriate functional owners.
• Support development and technical activities where needed, including experiment planning, data review, and technical troubleshooting.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations to improve manufacturability, repeatability, yield, process capability, cycle time, and overall production readiness.
• Ensure required documentation is created, reviewed, and released, including specifications, process documentation, test requirements, control plans, technical drawings or equivalent documentation, and qualification records.
• Track launch and readiness metrics, communicate program status to stakeholders and leadership, and escalate barriers when needed.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related technical discipline.
• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 5 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience.
• Strong technical background with experience in product development, process development, manufacturing engineering, NPI, or technical program management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects across R&D, PLM, Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and customer-facing teams.
• Experience with phase-gate, product lifecycle, qualification, manufacturing readiness, or design transfer processes.

Strong communication, organization, risk management, data analysis, and independent execution skills, with the ability to support technical troubleshooting and continuous improvement

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

I ntegrity Create an Environment of Trust

C ollaboration Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

A ccountability Own the Process and the Outcome

R espect Recognize the Value in Everyone

E nthusiasm Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us! Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

Job Info

• Job Identification 2012745
• Degree Level Bachelor's Degree
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 7 Airport Park Road East, East Granby, CT, 06026, US (Hybrid)
• Pay Scale $93,000 - 136,000 Annually