Subject Matter Expert (Manufacturing Engineer) - Optics Polishing
Coherent · Budd Lake, NJ
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 3 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Coherent (industrial) in Budd Lake, NJ. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation, Tooling, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in New Jersey: typical posted base $96k–$172k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 58 manufacturing engineer openings in New Jersey, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
New Jersey plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 57 other live manufacturing postings in New Jersey.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (7+ vs 10+)
Typical $96k–$172k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 74%
- Lean 72%
- Team leadership 71%
- Capacity planning 64%
- 5S 64%
- Time studies 60%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for PLC, Robotics, Tooling, 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 Manufacturing team at Coherent
We found 2 people at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Ryan → (free) - 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 Budd Lake
7 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Coherent.
- Manufacturing Technician - 2nd Shift · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer - Crystal Growth Operations · Production
- Manufacturing Technician- Crystal Growth · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Technician - 1st shift · Manufacturing · Technician
- Systems / Equipment Engineer - Optical Coating Systems · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Technician / Coating Department · Manufacturing · Technician
Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Provide technical leadership for crystal fabrication and precision polishing operations.
- ◆Oversee sawing, coring, grinding, lapping, shaping, fixturing, and polishing of optical crystals.
- ◆Establish and optimize process parameters for dimensional, surface, and optical quality requirements.
- ◆Identify and prioritize opportunities to automate labor-intensive, repetitive, and quality-sensitive operations.
- ◆Lead the selection and implementation of robotics, machine vision, automated inspection, material handling, and process-control systems.
- ◆Develop automation roadmaps and business cases addressing capacity, labor, quality, cost, ROI, and implementation timelines.
- ◆Lead automation projects from concept and prototyping through installation, qualification, training, and production release.
- ◆Partner with suppliers, integrators, Engineering, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and Production Operations to deploy new technologies.
- ◆Troubleshoot complex equipment, tooling, fixture, slurry, material-handling, surface-quality, contamination, and dimensional issues.
- ◆Develop and improve processes for new products, engineering builds, production programs, yield, cycle time, capacity, and cost.
- ◆Use precision metrology and process data to support qualification, capability studies, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
- ◆Manage and mentor early-career Manufacturing Engineers while partnering closely with Production Operations to align projects, resolve issues, support schedules, and improve overall performance.
Education & Experience
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in optics, materials science, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, automation, or a related technical field.
- ✓7+ years of experience in crystal optics fabrication, precision polishing, and/or optical manufacturing.
- ✓Demonstrated experience leading or supporting automation projects in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Experience identifying automation opportunities and implementing robotics, machine vision, automated equipment, or material-handling systems.
- ✓Experience developing equipment requirements, evaluating suppliers, validating processes, and transferring automated solutions into production.
- ✓Experience with optical crystals, laser materials, surface finishing, precision manufacturing, or optical inspection.
- ✓Experience with new product introduction, process qualification, capability studies, and continuous improvement is preferred.
Requirements
- ✓Ability to stand for prolonged periods in a production or cleanroom environment.
- ✓Ability to work with microscopes, precision tools, manufacturing equipment, and computer systems.
- ✓Ability to occasionally lift and move materials, tooling, fixtures, and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- ✓Ability to perform repetitive hand and arm movements associated with polishing, inspection, assembly, and equipment operation.
- ✓Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes, cleanroom garments, and respiratory protection where applicable.
- ✓Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer, preparing technical documentation, or attending meetings.
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 n
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced Crystal Optics Fabrication, Polishing, and Automation Subject Matter Expert for our Budd Lake, NJ location. This role will provide technical leadership & subject matter expertise for the fabrication and precision polishing of optical crystals used in laser systems, optical isolators, modulators, and other photonic products. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of crystal optics, hands-on experience with fabrication and polishing processes, and demonstrated experience identifying, developing, and implementing automation solutions, including robotics, for optical manufacturing. Must be willing to work in an adaptive, fast-paced environment with changing priorities and business needs.
Skills
- •Strong knowledge of crystal optics, optical materials, fabrication, polishing, and surface finishing.
- •Hands-on knowledge of grinding, lapping, polishing, fixturing, abrasives, slurries, and optical inspection techniques.
- •Knowledge of robotics, automation systems, machine vision, sensors, PLC-controlled equipment, or automated inspection systems.
- •Strong project management, troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- •Ability to develop technical business cases and evaluate return on investment for automation projects.
- •Ability to lead cross-functional projects and interface effectively with technicians, engineers, suppliers, and management.
- •Ability to work independently and provide technical leadership in a production environment.
Working Conditions
- •This role will be based 100% on-site in Budd Lake, NJ.
- •Regular work in a cleanroom, laboratory, and industrial manufacturing environment.
- •Regular use of precision manufacturing equipment, polishing machinery, inspection instruments, computers, and automated systems.
- •May require occasional work outside of normal business hours to support equipment installation, qualifications, production trials, or critical manufacturing needs.
Physical
