Senior Principal Process Engineer
Coherent · Sunnyvale, CA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Process
- Experience asked
- 15+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior process role at Coherent (industrial) in Sunnyvale, CA. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.
- They ask for
- 15+ years
- Tools it names
- Tooling, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $116k–$171k.
Median of the low and high ends of 70 live postings that list pay, out of 119 process engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 118 other live process postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (15+ vs 5+)
Typical $115k–$171k, from 68 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 46%
- SPC 28%
- DOE 24%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 24%
- ✓ New product launch 23%
- ✓ Team leadership 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, 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 Process 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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- 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 Sunnyvale
5 other open roles at this site.
- Principal Quality Engineer-Optical Systems · Quality · Senior
- Senior Fiber Optic Module Packaging Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
- Vice President of Engineering – Optical Circuit Switch (OCS) · Manufacturing · Director+
- Principal NPI Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
- Principal Reliability and Quality Engineer (Optical Systems) · Quality · Senior
Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Demonstrate a strong understanding of optical components, free-space optics, fiber optic devices, and fiber collimator coupling technologies.
- ◆Source, evaluate, and select optical components based on product performance, quality, and cost requirements.
- ◆Build and assemble prototypes according to optical design specifications and engineering requirements.
- ◆Characterize, test, and troubleshoot fiber optic devices to identify and resolve performance issues.
- ◆Generate comprehensive build documentation, test reports, and technical summaries.
- ◆Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support consistent manufacturing and testing processes.
- ◆Participate in product qualification and reliability testing activities to ensure compliance with performance standards.
- ◆Support new product introduction (NPI) activities, including transferring products to manufacturing and providing ongoing production support.
Education & Experience
- ✓BS or MS in engineering or related technical fields.
- ✓7-15 years of related experience.
Requirements
- ✓Able to move light equipment and tooling (<25lbs) as needed when setting up manufacturing stations.
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.:
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
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.
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Skills
- •Have good understanding of basic optical components and fiberoptic devices.
- •Ability to work with little supervision and to manage assigned tasks and projects effectively.
- •Ability to read, learn and analyze complex materials and processes, search for solutions in the public domain as well as create/develop innovative solutions.
- •Ability to leverage knowledge and experience and apply them to solve problems resourcefully.
- •Ability to search, locate and work proactively with external suppliers in the areas of his/her expertise to engage other capabilities into the project tasks involved in.
- •Effectively managing multiple priorities and projects.
- •Ability to teach and train others within work group.
- •Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
- •Proficient computer skills, experience with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Email, internet and the ability to develop tools and/or special applications within these packages.
- •Fiber optic experience is a plus.
- •Familiar with UV epoxies is a plus
- •Fiber Optical module package is a plus
Working Conditions
- •Good office working conditions and Class 10000 clean-room environment, wearing smock with mask and gloves.
Physical
