Staff NPI Engineer (Laser, Photonics & Automation)
Coherent · Wilsonville, OR
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 19 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Coherent (industrial) in Wilsonville, OR. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.
- They ask for
- 6+ years
- Tools it names
- Robotics, Automation, Tooling, MES, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Oregon: typical posted base $129k–$245k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 14 controls engineer openings in Oregon, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Oregon plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 13 other live controls postings in Oregon.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (6+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 86%
- PLC 50%
- ✓ Python 29%
- ✓ New product launch 21%
- ✓ Tooling 21%
- ✓ Robotics 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for MES, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Coherent
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Coherent in Wilsonville
3 other open roles at this site.
- Automation Engineer · Controls
- Manufacturing Supervisor · Manufacturing · Supervisor
- Engineering Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
of new product lines.
- ✓Present regular project updates including metrics, schedules, risks, and mitigation plans.
- ✓Proposing and justifying capital and expense expenditures necessary to provide new production capability.
Education & Experience
- ✓B.S. or M.S. in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Software Engineering, or related discipline.
- ✓6 years’ experience in NPI, product, manufacturing, or test engineering within lasers, optics, photonics, or related high-tech industries.
- ✓Strong hands-on experience with optical alignment, opto-mechanical assembly, and laser/photonics test equipment.
- ✓Experience in automated optical alignment systems.
- ✓Proven experience developing automated test systems using LabVIEW, Python, LabWindows/CVI, C#, or similar environments.
- ✓Experience with instrument control via DAQ, VISA, GPIB, Ethernet, or serial interfaces.
- ✓Experience integrating test systems with MES/ERP platforms.
- ✓Experience transitioning products into high-mix and/or volume production.
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.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
#IND
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.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Coherent’s Laser Systems and Measurement division designs and manufactures precision solid-state lasers, laser diode systems, multi-laser light engines, and calibrated laser measurement systems.
We are seeking a highly technical and hands-on Staff NPI Engineer to lead the transition of new laser and photonic products from R&D to scalable, high-volume manufacturing and hand over to Production and Sustaining Engineering.
NPI Project Execution
- •Lead and support new product introductions from Design release through Pilot ramp.
- •Coordinate manufacturing readiness, line setup, and ensure smooth phase-gate transitions.
- •Provide design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback to engineering teams.
- •Diagnose and resolve product and manufacturing issues with structured corrective action.
- •Estimate manufacturing costs, determine tooling, and process
Automation, Robotics & Motion Control
- •Develop and deploy robust automated test and calibration systems for laser modules and measurement products in a production environment.
- •Implement automation for laser characterization, optical alignment, calibration, burn-in, and final test.
- •Implement high-precision motion control systems for optical alignment, calibration, and active alignment processes.
- •Develop/support robotic pick-and-place systems for precision opto-mechanical assembly.
- •Interface with motion controllers, power meters, spectrometers, temperature controllers, vision systems, and DAQ hardware.
- •Ensure automation solutions are robust, incorporate appropriate safety measures, and are self-troubleshooting with efficient and intuitive user interface.
- •Establish communication between test systems and MES/ERP/SQL databases.
- •Implement automated data logging, analysis, and visualization to monitor yield and process performance.
- •Ensure proper version control, documentation, and configuration management of automation software.
Automation platforms may include
- •LabVIEW / NI TestStand
- •Python (PyVISA, PyDAQmx, instrument drivers, automation frameworks)
- •LabWindows/CVI
- •C# / .NET-based test frameworks
- •Other industrial automation environments
Skills
- •Strong structured problem-solving and project execution skills.
- •Strong understanding of how automation can be used to optimize KPIs in high-tech manufacturing environments
- •Strong interpersonal, teaming, and problem-solving skills.
- •Work effectively with other members of Coherent Corp.
Working Conditions
- •Normal Business Hours M-F
- •On-site
Safety