Senior Equipment Engineer

Location

• Camas
• Ability to travelup to10%.

Summary

The Senior Equipment Engineer provides technical leadership and lifecycle ownership for equipment supporting high-volume laserproduction.This role drives equipment reliability, qualification, maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades, and continuous improvement while partnering with Manufacturing, Process, Quality, Facilities, EHS, automation, customers, and suppliers. The position also leads complex root-cause investigations, ensures compliance with safety and quality requirements,mentorstechnical personnel, and supports productionobjectives across multiple shifts.

Responsibilities

• Managesthe equipment lifecyclefor nLIGHT-built andprocuredequipment,including spare-parts strategiesandobsolescence planning.
• Partnerswith customers oncontract manufacturing linesto install, qualify,andmaintaincustomer-owned equipmentinaccordancewithcontract requirements, including service andspare-partsstrategies.
• Collaborateswith cross-functional teams to improvenLIGHT'sbusiness systems related to equipment management, includingcompliance, calibration, repairs,andticketingsystems.
• Developsandmaintainsstrong relationships with key equipment suppliers.
• Collaborateswith project teamstoqualifynew equipment andplace itinto service.
• Responds to production escalations, including defined after-hours or on-call expectations.
• Leads complex troubleshooting and root-cause investigations using methods such as 8D, DMAIC, fault-tree analysis, or FMEA.
• Developspreventive and predictive maintenance plans andimproves equipment reliability.
• Writesandmaintains equipment specifications, qualification protocols, acceptance criteria, work instructions, and technical documentation.
• Partners with Manufacturing, Process, Quality, Facilities, EHS, IT/automation, and technicians.
• Ensures equipment meets applicable safety, regulatory, calibration, quality-system, and change-control requirements.
• Leadsequipment installation, factoryandsite acceptance testing, commissioning, validation, and handoff to production.
• Managesequipment upgrades, retrofits, automation, controls, andcontinuous-improvement projects.
• Mentorsjunior engineers and technicians andprovides technical leadership across shifts.
• Managesvendors, service contracts, quotations, scope, schedule, budget, and installation performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, or a closely related field, plus five years of experience supporting high-volume, multi-shift production lines; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with optical metrology, optical benches,and/or electrical test stations.
• Understanding of measurement systems analysis and gauge repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R).
• Detailed understanding ofequipment metrics andpractices, includinguptime, calibration,preventivemaintenance,spare-partsmanagement,obsolescenceplanning, risk management,and strategies fortools thatrepresentasingle pointoffailure.
• Demonstrated projectownershipand ahands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Strong record of problem-solving and data analysisusingstructured methodologies.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematicsandmechanical drawings,with knowledge ofbasic tooling and fixture design.
• Experience with data analysis and experimental design.
• Experience with PLCs, motion control, machine vision, robotics, data acquisition, or equipment software/interfaces.
• Familiarity with CAPA, 8D, Lean, and Six Sigma tools.
• Ability to interpret specifications, drawings, schematics, P&IDs, and control-system documentation.
• Ability to learn quicklyand take on new projectsandissues to support production.
• Ability to adaptanduselimited resourceseffectivelytoachieveresults and meet schedules.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in electrical engineering, materials science, optics, mechanical engineering, ora relatedfield.
• Six or moreyears of experience in precision optics assembly andtesting.
• Knowledge of optical fibers, fiber assemblies, optics, laser diodes, testing, especially data analysis, anda variety of metrology,characterization, andfailure-analysis tools.
• Experiencewith the following processes and equipment is preferred:optical testbenches;die attachandbonding;wireandribbon bonding;vacuum solder-reflow ovens;optical fiber alignment;hermetic seam sealing;solder and epoxies; andelectro-optical, electro-pneumatic,and fluid-cooling systems.

Physical and Work Environment Requirement

• Work is performed in office, laboratory, cleanroom, and manufacturing environments and requires regular interaction with production equipment and personnel.
• Ability to move throughout manufacturing areas and perform work while standing, walking, bending, reaching, crouching, or working in confined equipment areas.
• Ability to use a computer and hand tools and to perform close visual inspection and detailed technical work for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds independently and heavier equipment components withappropriate assistance or lifting devices.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and cleanroom attire, and to follow applicable laser, electrical, chemical, lockout/tagout, andequipment-safety procedures.
• May be exposed to moderate noise, moving mechanical parts, electrical systems, lasers, chemicals, compressed gases, and temperature variations within controlled operational limits.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.