nLIGHT is searching for a Mechanical Engineer to design, document, and release production equipment, fixtures, and tooling used to manufacture high-power solid-state lasers and laser systems. Working within a multidisciplinary team, this role focuses on the equipment and tooling that enable manufacturing.
Who We Are:
At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a rapidly growing market. We are a leading provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications, to name a few. Our lasers are changing not only the way things are made, but also changing the things that can be made. Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).
Summary:
Designs, develops, and qualifies production equipment, fixtures, tooling, and automation that enable the manufacture of high-power lasers and laser systems. Collaborates with multidisciplinary engineering and Operations teams to deliver documented, repeatable, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions from design through production handoff. Serves as the first engineering escalation point for process, equipment, and product issues, using hands-on assembly, optical fiber splicing, microscope inspection, electrical and laser testing, and production data analysis to identify root causes and validate improvements.
Responsibilities:
- Contributes to and/or leads mechanical design efforts in the development of new high power laser manufacturing processes, systems, products, and assembly tooling
- Works with Operations and Process development teams to establish and qualify processes and fixturing for high power laser system assembly and test procedures
- Devises, designs, builds, and qualifies robust tooling for assembly processes and electro-optic test equipment
- Works with relevant vendors to evaluate new equipment and fixture designs to reduce cost and complexity
- Plans and executes design verification test protocols to qualify equipment and fixtures for production use
- Adapts established and innovative low-cost manufacturing concepts to high power laser product systems designs
- Collaborates with electrical, controls, and optical engineers to integrate precision motion, sensors, actuators, and mechanical assemblies into automated laser assembly and test equipment.
- Creates and maintains engineering drawings, bills of materials, equipment specifications, and work instructions; releases designs and revisions through established document-control and engineering-change processes.
- Partners with Operations, Process Engineering, and Quality to investigate equipment and tooling failures, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and verify their effectiveness using production and test data.
- Applies design-for-manufacturing and assembly principles to improve fixture repeatability, assembly efficiency, and serviceability while maintaining required performance, quality, and cost objectives.
- Supports installation, commissioning, and transfer of qualified equipment and fixtures to production, including operating documentation, training, and coordination of maintenance and calibration requirements.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Physics, or a comparable field of study, and at least 5 years of experience in mechanical engineering or a closely related role. A master’s degree is preferred.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, engineering drawing practices, and GD&T
- Demonstrated experience with both equipment and product design
- Ability to conduct engineering analyses involving advanced materials selection; thermal, fluid, and mechanical modeling; and mechanical and/or optical tolerances. Ability to evaluate assembly and test equipment.
- Experience with low cost, high quality manufacturing techniques. Ideal candidates will have a history of adapting technologies from other industries to lower-volume, high mix manufacturing models
- Candidate shall be highly organized and detail-oriented with clear and professional written and oral communication skills
- Candidate shall be self-motivated and able to work with minimal guidance in the areas of defining specifications and requirements, assuring customer needs are addressed, and delivering fully documented solutions
- Working knowledge of precision machining and fabrication methods, dimensional inspection, and tolerance stack-up analysis for mechanical assemblies and tooling.
- Hands-on experience assembling, measuring, and troubleshooting mechanical equipment and tooling, with the ability to use test data to identify root causes and validate design improvements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Background in precision opto-mechanical design and optoelectronic packaging.
- Hands-on work with electro-optic test equipment and procedures.
- Participation in New Product Introduction (NPI) and product qualification practices.
- Prior use of ANSYS or other finite element software.
- Background in designing or integrating automated manufacturing equipment, including precision motion systems, sensors, actuators, and pneumatic components, in collaboration with electrical and controls engineers
- Background in fiber or solid-state laser systems, precision optical alignment, or laser assembly and test automation, including familiarity with applicable laser safety practices.
- Familiarity with robotics, machine vision, or automated data acquisition used in precision assembly, alignment, and testing.
Work Environment:
- Works in office, laboratory, and manufacturing settings, combining computer-based design and analysis with hands-on equipment assembly, inspection, and testing.
- Works around laser systems, electrical test equipment, and mechanical assemblies; follows applicable safety procedures and uses required personal protective equipment.
- Performs tasks involving sitting, standing, walking, reaching, and positioning components and tooling during assembly and equipment evaluation.
- Performs precision assembly and inspection tasks using small components, hand tools, microscopes, and test equipment.
- Performs the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Starting salary level is based on qualifications:
- Mechanical Engineer I: $89,000 - $100,000 annually
- Mechanical Engineer II: $95,000 - $115,000 annually
Other Compensation and Benefits
- Target Cash Bonus of 5% of earned wages, [depending on level]
- Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
- 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
- 10 paid Holidays
- Eligible for health benefits on the 1st day of the month after your start date
- Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
- Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Aflac Supplemental Insurance
- Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Pet Insurance
nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. To qualify for this position, you must be a US Person (that is, a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status).
Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see these government posters: “EEO is the Law” and its accompanying temporary supplement. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (360) 566-4460 or Hr@nlight.net.
E-Verify Participation:
nLIGHT participates in the E-Verify program. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
For more information, please review the following notices:
- E-Verify Participation Poster
- Right to Work Poster
