Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Engineer with a strong background in Manufacturing Engineering and proven expertise in project management manage complex engineering projects. The ideal candidate will bring many years of hands-on experience in manufacturing processes, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. Design engineering experience will be considered a strong advantage.
Job duties:

• Lead cross-functional teams and manage complex engineering projects from concept through execution, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
• Develops, defines and executes project plans, schedules, budgets and deliverables.
• Drive manufacturing process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design, production, quality, and supply chain to deliver integrated solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and project teams.
• Develop and implement best practices in manufacturing engineering, including lean principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) by coordinating design-for-manufacturing (DFM) activities.
• Prepare and present project updates, technical reports, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Assign and monitors work of project/program management staff, providing technical support and direction
• This position is most common in a matrix type organization, where the position does not have true responsibility over product development but does have overall product/program/project management responsibility, ie, coordinating efforts leading to product release
• Direct people-management responsibility is typically required.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 30% of Travel is required.

Skills You Bring:

• Education: Bachelor or master’s degree in mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (Master’s preferred) and Candidates with a PhD degree will also be considered. Candidates with relevant experience in laser, optic or electro-optical engineering will be an advantage.

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years in Manufacturing Engineering with demonstrated success in leading large-scale projects.
• Project Management: Proven track record of managing complex engineering projects, with certification in PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes, precision optics including lenses, polarization optics, modulators, optical harmonic generation & laser cavity design.
  • Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Ability to apply design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles to support new product introduction.
• Design Exposure: Experience with CAD/design tools and product development processes is highly desirable.
• Leadership Skills: Ability to mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking: Capability to align engineering initiatives with business objectives and long-term organizational goals.
• Global Mindset: Experience working in cross-cultural or international manufacturing environments is a plus.

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Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to various export control regulations.  Applicants for these positions may be limited (by, for example, their countries of citizenship, country of origin, or immigration status) where required by law or governmental contact, and/or employment made contingent upon the issuance of appropriate governmental licensing.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies.  MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [email protected] .

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