Innofiber is a rapidly growing, private-equity-owned manufacturer of precision engineered photonic solutions, specializing in custom fiber optic cable assemblies and sub-assemblies. Our products support critical applications across medical devices, aerospace & defense, and semiconductor markets.
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is a technical leader responsible for driving manufacturing excellence across Innofiber’s fiber optic production operations. This role owns manufacturability, process robustness, and scalability from early NPI through full-rate production.
This is a highly hands-on manufacturing role. The successful candidate will have deep fiber optic manufacturing experience, demonstrated success leading products through formal NPI phase-gate / toll-gate processes, and a proven track record of improving yield, throughput, cost, and process stability on the production floor.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Engineering
- Serve as the technical authority for fiber optic manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and work instructions.
- Provide direct, hands-on support to production, troubleshooting complex process issues and driving permanent corrective actions.
- Mentor and technically guide manufacturing and process engineers, technicians, and operators.
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Phase-Gate Ownership
- Lead manufacturing activities through structured NPI phase-gate / toll-gate processes, ensuring readiness for scale, quality, and cost.
- Partner with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to transition products from development into stable production.
- Define manufacturing process flows, routings, labor standards, equipment needs, and documentation prior to release.
Process Development & Continuous Improvement
- Design, develop, and optimize fiber optic manufacturing processes including stripping, cleaving, polishing, termination, assembly, and testing.
- Drive measurable improvements in yield, scrap reduction, cycle time, and labor efficiency using data-driven methods.
- Lead root cause analysis (PFMEA, DOE, 8D) for chronic or high-impact manufacturing issues.
Equipment, Tooling & Validation
- Specify, design, and qualify manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and tooling.
- Establish and maintain a tooling lifecycle and preventive maintenance program (modernized from the legacy tooling PM requirement).
- Lead process validations (IQ/OQ/PQ) in compliance with ISO 13485 and medical device customer requirements.
Quality & Regulatory Partnership
- Ensure manufacturing processes comply with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and customer-specific regulatory requirements.
- Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits as a manufacturing subject matter expert.
- Collaborate with Quality Engineering on PFMEAs, control plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
Kaizen & Operational Excellence
- Champion Lean manufacturing and Kaizen initiatives on the production floor.
- Improve manufacturing flow, reduce waste, and establish standard work across operations.
- Help build scalable processes that support growth, acquisition integration, and increasing production volumes.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
- 2-5 years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience.
- Direct fiber optic manufacturing experience is strongly preferred and may be required, particularly within regulated industries.
- Demonstrated success leading products through structured NPI phase-gate processes.
Technical Expertise
- Deep understanding of fiber optic cable assembly processes, materials, and test methods.
- Strong background in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and statistical process control.
- Experience working in ISO 13485 / regulated medical device manufacturing environments.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, optical specifications, and customer requirements.
Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Highly hands-on engineer who leads by example on the manufacturing floor.
- Comfortable fixing inherited or legacy manufacturing challenges rather than working around them.
- Strong communicator who collaborates effectively across Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
- Continuous improvement mindset aligned with Innofiber’s Kaizen culture.
Why Innofiber?
This role offers the opportunity to shape manufacturing capability and execution within a fast-growing photonics organization. As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Innofiber, you will directly influence product success, operational scalability, and long-term manufacturing excellence.
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $70,000 – $100,000
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