Process Development Engineer VAD

About the Role

Seeking a highly motivated, self-starting VAD Process Engineer to support and improve Vapor Axial Deposition (VAD) optical fiber manufacturing processes. The engineer will be responsible for improving process capability, product quality, manufacturing yield, equipment performance, and production output while reducing manufacturing costs and process variation. This position works closely with Production, Equipment Engineering, Controls Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D to troubleshoot manufacturing issues, implement process improvements, develop new manufacturing capabilities, and support the introduction of new products and technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day engineering support for VAD manufacturing operations to maintain stable, safe, and efficient production.
• Monitor and analyze process and product data to identify trends, process variation, equipment issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Troubleshoot complex manufacturing problems and lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Develop, optimize, and maintain VAD process parameters, operating conditions, and process specifications.
• Improve process capability, yield, quality, throughput, and equipment utilization while reducing manufacturing costs through data-driven process optimization.
• Design and execute engineering experiments and process trials to understand process relationships and establish robust operating windows.
• Develop and implement process improvements that enhance manufacturing repeatability, reliability, and product performance.
• Establish and maintain process control plans, key performance indicators (KPIs), and appropriate reaction plans to identify and respond to process deviations.
• Support development, qualification, and implementation of new equipment, processes, materials, and manufacturing technologies.
• Collaborate with R&D and manufacturing teams to transfer new products and processes into production.
• Work closely with Controls and Equipment Engineers to define process requirements for equipment modifications, automation, instrumentation, and control improvements.
• Lead or support technical projects from problem definition and conceptual development through implementation, validation, and transfer to Production.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, engineering specifications, technical reports, and process change documentation.
• Train and provide technical guidance to production personnel, technicians, and other engineering staff.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and long-term manufacturing technology development.

Travel Requirements: Less than 5%

Requirements & Tech Stack

• B.S. in Optical Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Manufacturing, process development, laboratory, research, internship, or related engineering experience.
• Strong analytical, experimental, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience analyzing manufacturing/process data and converting results into actionable process improvements.
• Experience with structured root-cause analysis and corrective-action methodologies.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework, training, or experience in computer science, programming, or data analysis.
• Experience in optical fiber, glass, chemical processing, deposition, thermal processing, or other advanced manufacturing processes.
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), and process capability analysis.
• Familiarity with PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment, process instrumentation, data acquisition, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Experience with statistical and data-analysis tools and programming or scripting languages used for manufacturing process analysis and optimization.
• Knowledge of and experience with materials processing and manufacturing equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or support technical projects.
• Recent graduates with a proven record of academic achievement, technical aptitude, and a strong desire to learn and contribute are encouraged to apply.

Soft Skills

• Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and accountability, capable of driving projects and initiatives with minimal supervision.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently while effectively balancing multiple priorities and meeting project deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality, accurate, and reliable results.
• Well-organized with strong planning, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, enabling effective engagement with engineers, technicians, operators, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
• Adaptable and eager to learn, with the ability to quickly acquire and apply new technical knowledge.