Senior Quality Engineer at Coherent in East Granby, Connecticut

Job Description:

Job Description and Responsibilities:

Coherent is a world leader of lasers and laser-based technology for materials processing, microelectronics, scientific, life sciences and medical customers. The light we deliver touches almost every aspect of human life-vision correction to cell analysis, precision welding to 3-D metal printing, gravity wave detection to brain research. Put your talents to work at Coherent where you can create and innovate enabling technologies that will push the frontiers of science and technology.

We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Engineer to work in our Optical Fiber, Fiber Components & Sensors Manufacturing group in East Granby, Connecticut who can drive improvements in the quality and reliability of specialty optical fiber products and production processes. This demands developing, maintaining and improving a variety of internal Quality Assurance systems and processes and leading by influence to drive quality into the culture of the organization.

Responsibilities Include:

• Support New Product Introductions and Process Development projects to deliver robust and effective products to the market by ensuring the proper application of design controls, process controls, risk management and the investigation/resolution of design/process failures.


• Represent Site Quality on NPI and sustaining engineering project teams. Responsible for compiling and presenting project quality data to key stakeholders/leadership as needed. NPI Design review approval authority on behalf of the Quality Manager.


• Represent Site Quality on Process Development project teams. Ensuring only robust, repeatable and validated processes are released to production. Responsible for compiling and presenting project quality data to key stakeholders/leadership as needed.


• Review and approve new and modified product/process specifications, procedures, test methods, work instructions, etc.


• Lead or assist project teams in activities such as; pFMEA, Fault Tree Analysis, 8D Problem Solving, etc.


• Support Failure Analysis and the Returned Material Process and ensure the timely analysis and management/disposition of customer failures or complaints.


• Drive issues to root cause(s), ensure implementation of systemic corrective/preventive action(s), and monitor for effectiveness.


• Mine, analyze and report data in existing databases and systems to calculate quality metrics and determine trends and correlations.


• Recommend improvements to the quality systems and procedures. Lead or assist in quality improvement initiatives.


• Implement and make measurable improvements to Coherent's Quality Assurance protocols and processes


• Interface with customer/suppliers for failure incidences


• Uphold Quality Assurance activities by ensuring both documentation conformity and data integrity


• Assist in preparation and support during internal and external audits

Education and Work Experience:

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree, preferably in Engineering or related technical discipline


• A minimum of 5 years of quality assurance related experience or a combination of equivalent education and relevant experience


• Relevant experience working in defense, medical, automotive, industrial or telco manufacturing/operations


• The job requires access to defense articles and related technical data subject to the International Traffic and Arms Regulations ("ITAR") 22 C.F.R. * 120-130. Therefore applicants must be U.S. persons as the term is defined in ITAR * 120.15

Desired Qualifications / Competencies:

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer


• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 or AS9100d


• Strong proficiency on Microsoft Excel, Word, Visio, PowerPoint. Proficiency in Brio, Minitab, Agile and Oracle are a plus


• Experience with in the following areas: Process Validations (IQ, OQ, PQ), Design of Experiment (DoE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Failure Reporting, Analysis and Corrective Action System (FRACAS), Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility (Gage R&R) and Test Method Validation (TMV), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Structured Problem Solving (8D, A3) and/or Root Cause Analysis - Corrective and Preventive Actions (RCA-CAPA)


• Previous experience with Risk Management, Engineering Change Control, Handling of Deviations and Non-conformances, Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen and/or Internal and External Quality Audit experience


• Mind-set that is constantly looking for ways to improve products, processes, or systems through on-going analysis


• Proven problem-solving abilities combined with hands-on experience with product or process issue resolution


• Good "diplomacy" skills in working with other departments (Engineering, Operations, Sales). Ability to negotiate mutually acceptable plans and outcomes


• Ability to complete several complex tasks in a timely way


• Self-motivated, ability to identify potential problems or improvements and possess the initiative to take appropriate actions as necessary


• Good project management skills - ability to clearly articulate work plans, schedules, resource needs or constraints and ability to effectively direct efforts of others on a team as necessary


• Ability to organize and communicate data to drive key decisions


• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and strong analytical ability

#LI-JB1

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Apply Now