NPI Engineer – Optomechanical Systems

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Department: 2230 - Eng - R&D

NPI Engineer – Optomechanical Systems

Santa Clara, CA

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on NPI Engineer to lead the transition of next-generation spectroscopy products from prototype through pilot build and into volume manufacturing.

Picarro’s products deliver real-time measurements of critical gases at parts-per-billion and parts-per-trillion levels. In this role, you will take ownership of translating advanced CRDS-based optomechanical designs into robust, scalable, and high-yield manufacturing processes.

You will operate at the critical interface between R&D and manufacturing—driving productization strategy, leading build execution, and ensuring that complex optical systems can be manufactured with precision, repeatability, and cost-effectiveness.

This position reports to the Director of Spectrometer Engineering.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned productization / NPI engineer who thrives in ambiguity and takes full ownership of getting products into production.

• Leads by example as a hands-on builder and problem solver
• Owns complex builds and drives issues to closure across disciplines
• Influences design decisions to ensure manufacturability
• Creates processes, tooling, and documentation from first principles
• Acts as a technical bridge between engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers
• Is comfortable leading builds, mentoring junior engineers and technicians, and making technical trade-offs that balance performance, manufacturability, and cost.

Key Responsibilities

NPI Leadership & Product Transfer Ownership

• Lead NPI from prototype through pilot build and production ramp
• Own engineering builds from prototype to early production
• Drive alignment across R&D, operations, quality, and supply chain
• Ensure successful transfer to manufacturing with clear ownership of yield, quality, and readiness

Design for Manufacturability & Productization

• Lead DFM/DFA/DFX to optimize manufacturability, reliability, and cost
• Influence design through tolerance, alignment, and process constraints
• Identify high-risk areas early and drive design and process changes

Process Development & Industrialization

• Develop and validate assembly processes for precision optomechanical systems
• Define process flows, controls, and acceptance criteria
• Establish repeatable alignment processes and production windows
• Lead tooling and fixture strategy and validation

Pilot Builds & Manufacturing Readiness

• Plan and lead EVT/DVT/PVT builds, including line setup
• Analyze yield, variation, and failures; drive root cause and corrective actions
• Own production readiness reviews and release criteria

Supplier & Manufacturing Interface

• Lead contract manufacturer and supplier engagement for production readiness
• Drive supplier selection, qualification, and process alignment
• Resolve technical issues across internal and external manufacturing

Documentation & Process Control

• Own manufacturing documentation, including:
  • Work instructions
  • Process flows and control plans
• Test procedures and validation reports
• Ensure robust configuration control and change management (ECO/PLM)
• Establish scalable documentation standards across programs

Production Ramp & Continuous Improvement

• Own technical support during early production ramp
• Drive yield improvement, cost reduction, and process robustness
• Establish feedback loops between production, design, and suppliers for continuous improvement

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as a technical leader for NPI and productization activities within the team
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in build practices, debugging, and process development
• Set technical standards for assembly, alignment, and manufacturing processes

Technical Expertise

• Strong hands-on experience with high-precision optomechanical systems
• Expertise in optical alignment (active/passive), micron-level tolerances, and stability
• Deep understanding of optical components (lasers, detectors, coated optics, isolators)
• Experience with advanced attachment techniques (epoxies, soldering, welding)
• Strong background in debugging complex electro-opto-mechanical systems
• Experience with process validation, yield analysis, and root cause methodologies

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 4–7+ years of relevant experience in the industry
• Proven experience leading NPI/productization efforts for complex hardware systems
• Demonstrated ownership of pilot builds and manufacturing transfer
• Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills

Preferred

• Experience with spectroscopy or precision optical instrumentation
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and supply chains
• Familiarity with cleanroom or precision assembly environments
• Experience with DOE, PFMEA, SPC, or other process control methodologies

Why This Role Matters

This role is critical to translating Picarro’s cutting-edge optical designs into manufacturable, high-performance products. You will directly influence product scalability, yield, and reliability—and play a key role in bringing advanced measurement technologies from the lab into the field.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $130K to $150K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at [email protected] for assistance.