Functions:
- Support activities of the optical design. Responsible for ensuring we have the right software tools to support our customers design needs and that optical design group is proficient in using these tools. Standardize ISO work procedures within optical design group.
- Take responsibility for risk assessment of projects being undertaken. Ensure that quality of all groups output meets requirements and expectations of Coherent customers.
- Utilize optical design programs to provide component and subassembly optical designs. Ensure design specification can be met based on tolerances achievable using standard manufacturing procedures.
- Provide technical support to customers identifying and/or designing the best products to support their application.
- Develop fundamental understanding of Coherent products to enable role as technology expert. Interface directly with customer engineering groups.
- Provide optical testing support for nonstandard products.
- Act as project manager for custom projects managing entire project responsibility for cost, quality and delivery.
- Lead the development of new optical and electro-optical products. Build and qualify prototypes to meet customer and market requirements.
- Utilize Coherent Gate Review Process to ensure buy-in on technical and market strategy.
- Utilize DFMEA design reviews to ensure robustness of designs.
Job Requirements:
- 4 year Science or Engineering Degree, BS minimum requirement. Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD
- College science lab and engineering project experience, 5 years product design and applications experience.
- High organization skills, motivation, good inter-personal skills for interfacing with customers and other departments
- Strong physics understanding, therefore, able to do theoretical analysis, both optical and electrical.
- Lens design capability using CODE V, OSLO PRO, ZEMAX, and/or FRED or equivalent lens design program is desirable.
- Computer programming in C or C++ is also desirable.
- Concise report writing is also required to aid in communicating complex optical issues.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for all operations of optical design group which includes work distribution, organization, documentation, software selection, training, risk assessment design quality for the entire group.
- Often involved with proprietary information belonging to COHERENT and its customers. Involved with assessing technical feasibility towards setting strategic direction of IR Engineering and NPI activities.
- Contact with outside customers, by traveling overseas and domestically and by phone and written communications, regarding optical design and electro-optic design and support during the quotation, ordering, and post order support stages.
- Extensive interfacing with the sales department during the quotation of special optics and electro-optics.
- Strong interfacing with manufacturing and QA departments to solve design and manufacturing issues.
- Support documentation and filing of COHERENT Patents and Trade Secrets.
- Training and mentoring other COHERENT employees.
- Transfer of new products manufacturing and testing from prototype to production.
- Engineer must possess ability for self monitoring and error checking so that errors are kept to a minimum.
Job Conditions:
- Office, general laboratory, high power laser operation, high electrical voltage operation.
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].
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Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering (BS)
- Postgraduate degree (MSc or PhD)
- Minimum 5 years product design and applications experience
- College science lab and engineering project experience
- Strong physics understanding; perform optical and electrical theoretical analyses
- High organizational skills, motivation, and good interpersonal skills for customer and cross-functional interfacing
- Concise technical report writing skills
- Lens design capability using CODE V, OSLO Pro, ZEMAX, FRED or equivalent
- Computer programming in C or C++
- Ability for self-monitoring and error checking to minimize mistakes
Coherent Corp. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Coherent Corp. and has not been reviewed or approved by Coherent Corp..
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare Strength: Health coverage includes multiple national and region-specific options (UHC HDHP/HSA, PPO, EPO; Kaiser in CA; Health Net in OR) plus separate dental (Delta Dental) and vision (VSP), indicating strong breadth and choice. This breadth supports a solid total package in certain roles and locations.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity Value & Accessibility: An Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows buying shares at 85% of market price with contributions up to 10% of pay, expanding ownership access. This feature can materially bolster total rewards even when base pay is mid‑pack.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Leave & Time Off Breadth: Paid time off includes 15 vacation days for new hires, 10 paid holidays, and additional paid time during a December shutdown. This structure provides a clear and competitive baseline for time away from work.
Coherent Corp. Insights
What We Do
Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.








