As a Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer at Nokia's Allentown facility, you will support efficient, high-quality, high-volume production of next-generation optical transceivers. This is an experienced technical role for an engineer who has designed, deployed, and scaled automation for precision electronics manufacturing. You will collaborate with a team of automation engineers to develop systems for advanced test and packaging processes, and have hands-on technical responsibility for machine vision, robotics, and process integration as we scale capacity and continuously improve.
You will partner with the Product and Process Engineering and Manufacturing Operations teams, all passionate about innovation in optical communication. Your work environment is supportive and collaborative, encouraging cross-functional teamwork to drive excellence in execution. You will thrive in a data-driven culture, employing your experience with process automation for advanced packaging and testing, AI-driven machine vision, robotics, and analytical skills to drive continuous improvement in productivity and yield. Benefits include a structured career progression pathway, exposure to cutting-edge technology like the Infinite Capacity Engine, and opportunities to leverage AI. Enjoy a collaborative atmosphere that values your insights and fosters professional growth in a leading-edge industry.
Design, develop, and implement automation systems for advanced test and packaging cells for precision electro-optical (photonic) device manufacturing.
Integrate AI-based machine vision systems for defect detection, precision alignment, in-line inspection, and statistical process control.
Support manufacturing quality and capacity requirements and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with product, test, and process engineering teams to identify opportunities that improve yield, throughput, and cycle time.
Support root cause investigation and resolution of complex automation equipment issues impacting production output.
Partner with vendors and integrators of vision hardware, robotics, and automation to develop designs and drive successful implementation.
Develop and maintain documentation, specifications, and validation protocols for automated systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.
Support capital equipment justification and capacity planning for automation investments.
Qualifications
Must-Have:
BS Degree in science or engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science, Physics, or related); MS Degree preferred.
5 or more years of experience designing and deploying industrial automation systems in a high-precision, high-volume manufacturing environment.
Qualification experience, including DOE, GR&R, repeatability, and seeded defect studies
Hands-on production experience (from concept through build, qualification, transfer, and support.)
Curious, collaborative problem-solving approach.
Experience creating detailed reports, engineering documentation, presentations, and facilitating design reviews.
There are multiple Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer openings, which include the following areas of specialization and requisite experience in addition to the general requirements above.
Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer:
Vision, Metrology, and Process IntegrationDesign, specification, and implementation of 2D and 3D vision inspection and measurement systems, including lighting, optics, sensors, algorithms, and defect classification
Collaboration with process owners to determine critical inspection criteria and integration strategies
Process development including DOE, Cpk, capability studies, and yield improvement
Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer:
Motion and MechanicalDesign, specification, and implementation of precision motion systems to support AOI data acquisition
Handling, fixturing, and precision motion including stages, gantries, grippers, and robotic cells
Design for repeatability, tolerance stack-ups, and GR&R
Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer:
Controls and Data IntegrationPLC and motion control programming, HMI development
Equipment communication
Data acquisition and processing
Integration of machine learning / AI
Equipment-to-MES connectivity, traceability, and SPC/data pipelines
Nice-To-Have:
Direct automation experience for advanced test and/or packaging processes for electro-optical, photonic, semiconductor, or similarly high precision products.
Experience with custom vision model development or training (e.g. convolutional neural networks for defect detection)
Demonstrated history of innovation in automation or precision manufacturing.
Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and capacity ramp alongside automation development.
Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC), DFM/DFA, and Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing methodologies.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- At least 5 years of experience designing and deploying industrial automation systems in high-precision, high-volume manufacturing
- Hands-on experience integrating machine vision systems, including AI or deep-learning-based inspection
- Experience with robotics, motion control, or precision mechanical system design and integration
- Experience implementing automation systems from concept through qualification, integration, and production ramp
- Experience with controls or PLC systems, machine vision software such as Cognex or Keyence, and industrial communication protocols
- Familiarity with SQL and statistical processing software such as JMP/JSL or Minitab
- Hands-on, curious, collaborative problem-solving approach
- Experience creating engineering reports, documentation, presentations, and facilitating design reviews
- Master’s degree
- Experience automating advanced test or packaging processes for electro-optical, photonic, semiconductor, or similarly high-precision products
- Experience developing or training custom computer vision models, such as convolutional neural networks for defect detection
- History of innovation in automation or precision manufacturing
- Experience supporting new product introduction and capacity ramp alongside automation development
- Familiarity with statistical process control, DFM/DFA, Six Sigma, or Lean manufacturing methodologies
Nokia Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nokia and has not been reviewed or approved by Nokia.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is positioned as a global minimum policy offering at least 90 days of paid leave with return-to-work protections, regardless of gender. Feedback suggests this establishes a strong baseline for new parents across locations.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage commonly includes medical and disability insurance, alongside a global life-insurance commitment being implemented. Feedback suggests these elements create a solid core of protection within the total package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Work-life balance is supported by flexible or hybrid work options plus wellness programs, occupational health services, gyms, and around-the-clock support in some locations. Feedback suggests this breadth elevates day-to-day quality of life and makes the benefits feel above average.
Nokia Insights
What We Do
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
