Job Description

Optical Manufacturing Process Engineering Manager

Open to candidates of all nationalities

About the Opportunity

Evantis Talent Solutions is recruiting an Optical Manufacturing Process Engineering Manager for a global electronics manufacturing business supporting advanced AI server and high-speed communications products.

You will lead the development and industrialisation of optical fibre, co-packaged optics (CPO), and related assembly processes, taking products from design and prototyping through to large-scale production. This role combines engineering leadership, technical expertise, and responsibility for manufacturing readiness, yield improvement, and long-term technology planning across global teams.

Candidates of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they meet the technical and leadership requirements below.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary optical manufacturing engineering team.
• Define and optimise manufacturing processes for advanced fibre-optic products, CPO, PCBA, and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly to improve yield, quality, and production efficiency.
• Lead Design for Manufacturing (DFM) activities for fibre routing, fibre trays, and optical management solutions through CAD reviews, prototyping, and production-readiness assessments.
• Guide equipment selection and capital investment evaluations for optical connector inspection, cleaning, polishing, fusion splicing, testing, and automation.
• Establish equipment qualification, process validation, troubleshooting, and failure analysis methods.
• Lead engineering activities for New Product Introduction (NPI), working with design, operations, supply chain, customers, and technical partners.
• Provide technical input for customer Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Quotation (RFQs).
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Six Sigma methods to resolve complex manufacturing issues and stabilise processes.
• Develop three-to-five-year optical manufacturing technology roadmaps and standardise best practices across global manufacturing sites.
• Identify and mitigate risks relating to materials, process capability, equipment readiness, and production scalability.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in fibre optics and precision mechanical assembly processes, including at least 3 years in team leadership or engineering management.
• At least 5 years of experience with fibre-optic technologies and optical components used in advanced communications systems.
• Strong understanding of single-mode and multi-mode fibre, optical transceivers, lasers, modulators, attenuators, switches, and detectors.
• Practical knowledge of fibre routing, inspection, cleaning, optical testing, and manufacturing process development.
• Experience with optical and electrical measurement equipment, including optical insertion loss testing.
• A proven record of developing and implementing new manufacturing processes and resolving complex optical assembly or component-placement issues.
• Strong knowledge of DOE, SPC, Six Sigma, and data-driven process improvement.
• Experience working in cleanroom manufacturing environments.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage technical risks, and collaborate effectively within a fast-paced global organisation.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electronic Engineering, Microelectronics, Communications Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant education and experience.

Preferred Experience

• Fibre-optic or CPO engineering experience involving servers, switches, or high-speed communications equipment.
• Technical leadership of optical design, manufacturing, or industrialisation projects.
• Knowledge of micro-optics, microelectronics, CPO, ELSFP, and fibre cleaning processes.
• Understanding of PCBA materials, SMT assembly, and advanced packaging integration.
• Experience with optical connector technologies such as FC, SC, LC, MPO, MMC, and expanded beam optics.