Lead Reliability and Quality Engineer (Optical Systems)

Location: Sunnyvale, CA, United States

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead reliability strategy development for new optical product platforms, ensuring robust design and manufacturability from early architecture stages through production ramp.
• Collaborate closely with optical designers, mechanical engineers, process engineers, manufacturing teams, and suppliers to identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans to prevent product failures.
• Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis activities, leveraging physics-of-failure principles and structured problem-solving techniques (8D, DMAIC, etc.).
• Drive quality improvements through process optimization, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, SPC).
• Establish and improve quality systems, procedures, and metrics appropriate for a dynamic, startup-oriented environment while maintaining compliance with corporate and industry standards.
• Define and execute comprehensive qualification and validation plans to ensure product robustness, lifetime performance, and compliance with internal and customer reliability requirements.
• Develop and implement reliability test methodologies including accelerated life testing, environmental stress screening, HALT/HASS, and aging studies.
• Analyze reliability data using statistical methods to estimate lifetime performance, failure rates, and confidence levels; clearly communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with suppliers to evaluate process capability, manufacturing readiness, and long-term reliability risks.
• Support production ramp activities, ensuring scalability, yield improvement, and sustained reliability performance.Lead reliability strategy development for new optical product platforms, ensuring robust design and manufacturability from early architecture stages through production ramp.
• Collaborate closely with optical designers, mechanical engineers, process engineers, manufacturing teams, and suppliers to identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans to prevent product failures.
• Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis activities, leveraging physics-of-failure principles and structured problem-solving techniques (8D, DMAIC, etc.).
• Drive quality improvements through process optimization, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, SPC).
• Establish and improve quality systems, procedures, and metrics appropriate for a dynamic, startup-oriented environment while maintaining compliance with corporate and industry standards.
• Define and execute comprehensive qualification and validation plans to ensure product robustness, lifetime performance, and compliance with internal and customer reliability requirements.
• Develop and implement reliability test methodologies including accelerated life testing, environmental stress screening, HALT/HASS, and aging studies.
• Analyze reliability data using statistical methods to estimate lifetime performance, failure rates, and confidence levels; clearly communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with suppliers to evaluate process capability, manufacturing readiness, and long-term reliability risks.
• Support production ramp activities, ensuring scalability, yield improvement, and sustained reliability performance.

Education & Experience

B.S, M.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in reliability and quality engineering focused on optical systems, photonics devices, or optoelectronic assemblies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting products through NPI and high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in fast-paced or startup environments preferred.

Skills

• Strong technical understanding of optical systems including lasers, optical switching, transceivers, photonic components, packaging, and opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Expertise in reliability statistics, Weibull analysis, accelerated life testing, and physics-of-failure methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with failure analysis techniques such as cross-sectioning, SEM, material analysis, and electrical/optical characterization.
• Proven track record in process improvement, yield enhancement, and implementation of quality management systems.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical data into clear, actionable recommendations for cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across global teams and suppliers.
• Self-driven, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments.

Working Conditions

• Office environment with regular interaction in laboratory and manufacturing settings.
• Occasional domestic and international travel to suppliers and manufacturing sites may be required.Office environment with regular interaction in laboratory and manufacturing settings.
• Occasional domestic and international travel to suppliers and manufacturing sites may be required.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments, including extended periods of sitting, standing, and use of standard lab equipment.

Safety Requirements

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.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

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.


Job Summary: Coherent is seeking an experienced Reliability and Quality Engineer with deep expertise in optical systems to support new product development and production in a fast-paced, startup-like environment. This role is responsible for leading reliability strategy and driving quality excellence across product lifecycle stages, from architectural definition through high-volume manufacturing. The ideal candidate brings a strong technical background in optical systems, reliability engineering, failure analysis, and process improvement methodologies.