Senior Production Readiness Engineer

Job Purpose

As a Senior Production Readiness Engineer, you will provide manufacturing-engineering and technical support for the Optical Manufacturing production team. You will define, implement, and maintain the manufacturing, quality-assurance, and quality-control processes used to build precision optical components, opto-mechanical sub-assemblies, and final laser-delivery assemblies that go into VulcanForms’ metal AM systems.

You will own the manufacturing engineering behind these processes — developing methods of manufacturing (MOMs), bills of material (BOMs); authoring work instructions and inspection plans; managing engineering change; designing manufacturing processes, fixtures, and tooling; and providing hands-on floor support across production and the machine shop. The ideal candidate is well-versed in precision and optical manufacturing operations and in the health-and-safety practices required to run a safe, high-precision production environment.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role: you will help mature precision optical assemblies from early and prototype builds into repeatable medium-volume production — putting your thumbprint on the processes, fixtures, and documentation that ship in VulcanForms systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive product quality and yield: identify manufacturing issues, develop cost-effective solutions including scrap and rework reduction, and oversee successful production ramp.
• Apply SPC and data-driven root-cause and corrective-action methods (8D, fishbone, PFMEA, fault tree) to monitor process capability and resolve problems across methods, processes, tooling, fixtures, equipment, and product design.
• Specify, justify, qualify, and integrate advanced technology and capital equipment to improve productivity, process capability, and capacity for future programs.
• Apply Lean manufacturing principles and lead or participate in kaizen and continuous-improvement events to improve capability, reduce cost, and increase throughput.
• Create and maintain methods of manufacturing (MOMs) and bills of material (BOMs), and manage change control, in the ERP/MES (Epicor Kinetic).
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation within the controlled quality system - work instructions, process specifications, inspection plans, and first-article inspection (FAI) and support Device History Record (DHR) completeness
• Design and improve manufacturing processes (manufacturing process design through production), and design and build fixtures and tooling for cleanroom manufacturing environments, supporting both production and the machine shop.
• Translate design requirements into process and equipment specifications and collaborate with optical and design engineering to integrate build and test results into improved designs.
• Support resolution of nonconformances and corrective/preventive actions (NCR/CAPA), including internal-customer issues, line-down events, and repairs
• Assist subcontractors and suppliers in resolving manufacturing- and quality-related issues.
• Champion safety: proactively identify hazards (including laser and chemical hazards), drive corrective measures, and ensure adherence to EHS policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering or a related technical field (Mechanical, Optical, Manufacturing, or similar), with 3+ years of optical, opto-mechanical, or other advanced/precision manufacturing experience.
• Strong knowledge of precision manufacturing processes and operations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and qualify production processes using process FMEA, fault tree analysis, design of experiments (DOE), and process-planning tools.
• Experience developing and integrating new technologies and equipment into production.
• Experience designing production fixtures and tooling for manufacturing environments - cleanroom experience a plus.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, quality-system requirements, and SPC tools.
• Proficiency with change control, inspection plans, and engineering drawings/GD&T; CAD literacy in Autodesk Inventor.
• Experience operating within a controlled quality management system- ISO 13485 and/or AS 9100D.
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MES - including creating BOMs, methods of manufacturing, and managing change control- Epicor Kinetic preferred; experience with an electronic QMS (e.g., Greenlight Guru) and PLM (e.g., Windchill) a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building and testing complex, high-precision optical or laser systems.
• Strong familiarity with cleanroom protocols and with setting up and operating an optical lab.
• Laser beam metrology and diagnostics - profilometry, M² measurement, power/energy, beam profiling - and the associated software.
• Laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) testing of optical surfaces.
• Precision bonding/epoxy and cure processes, fiber-optic assembly or fusion splicing, interferometry, and spectrophotometry.

• Hands-on CNC machining experience - programming, setup, and operation of 3- and 4-axis vertical machining centers (Okuma / OSP control a strong plus).
• CAM programming and CNC setup development - fixturing, work-offsets, tool selection, and feeds and speeds.
• Precision machining of copper and aluminum alloys (e.g., tellurium copper C14500, 6061) to tight tolerances and fine surface finishes.
• On-machine probing (e.g., Renishaw) and 4th-axis / trunnion work.
• GD&T interpretation and precision metrology (CMM, indicators, profilometry) for machined parts.

• Ability to multitask and adapt to changing business requirements; excellent organizational and prioritization skills
• Strong analytical, data-driven problem-solving skills, with sound reasoning even when data is limited.
• Strong work ethic, good judgment, and sound decision-making.
• Strong sense of ownership; hands-on, practical mindset.
• Team player with excellent communication skills.
• Excited to take on new challenges in metal additive manufacturing and to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment; self-motivated and capable of setting and reaching ambitious goals.

VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match. 

VulcanForms Inc. is a registered ITAR company. To conform to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

The annual base salary range for this position is $106,000.00 to $146,000.00.