Product Lifecycle Engineer (Optics)

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Position Summary:                 

Responsible for sustaining activities in manufacturing of DNA sequencing instruments. The position requires problem solving, testing, designing test fixtures of critical optical components and sub-assemblies which integrate into a larger, complex DNA sequencing instrument. The optical engineer works on continuous improvements, cost reduction, and outsourcing efforts. In addition, providing technical support throughout the product development process (PDP) and in new product introduction (NPI) functions, defining engineering specifications and requirements, test and characterization, and generation of production documentation. Develop and present reports and presentations that communicate manufacturing issues, problem solving approach, and solutions. Manufacturing floor support to trouble-shoot and resolve issues. Interactions with vendor partners on issue communication, tracking, and implementation of resolution.

Position Responsibilities:

• Support module design transfer (into manufacturing) of innovative, robust, low cost, and miniaturized optical designs within Illumina’s instrumentation portfolio.
• Support the optical design team via participation in design reviews, DFx, FMEA, modeling, and tolerance budgeting.
• Partner with world-wide Contract Manufacturer & Original Design Manufacturer (CM/ODM) partners throughout the new product transfer and early production phase to achieve manufacturing readiness.  This includes in-depth operational readiness assessments and active support of partner in achieving readiness.
• Support development of supplier manufacturing processes and testing to maximize capacity and yield of subassemblies delivered to Illumina.
• Support development of incoming, in-line, and end-of-line sub-assembly/instrument tests to ensure optical performance targets are met.
• Support prototype, pilot, manufacturing, and products in the field by working cross functionally with consumables, hardware, software, and systems integration teams to conduct system level optical troubleshooting, testing, and analysis
• Support protocol generation and execution for validating our optical systems and manufacturing processes.
• Design and execute experiments to confirm models and further characterize our instruments.
• Interface with PLM to create and maintain bill of materials and documentation to enable successful build of prototype, pilot, and production hardware. (e.g. test reports, assembly procedures, design validation plans etc.)
• Drive troubleshooting, failure analysis, root cause analysis, issues closure and corrective action processes as required.
• Drive and implement cost reduction activities by perform engineering evaluation to qualify new or improved materials, processes, and products.

Listed responsibilities are an essential, but not exhaustive list, of the usual duties associated with the position. Changes to individual responsibilities may occur due to business needs.

Position Requirements:

• Technical competency in optical systems design, optical systems NPI, or optics-related Manufacturing Engineering
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a team environment on multiple concurrent projects in a complex, dynamic, sometimes ambiguous environment
• Demonstrated ability to concept and implement measurement systems, test fixtures, and metrology tools.
• Familiarity with the process of establishing and confirming spec levels for high-yield manufacturing.
• Experience interfacing with suppliers/partners to manage deliverables and support issue resolution.
• Experience in low to medium volume product NPI and product lifecycle system.
• Experience with technical component documentation such as spec sheets and 2D CAD drawings required, experience with GD&T preferred.
• Ability to translate, statically analyze data, and effectively report problems through written and/or graphical formats.
• Good understanding and use of engineering tools such as, statistical engineering techniques, design of experiments, product and process capability analysis.
• Good grasp of BOM (Bill-Of-Material) structuring fundamentals and can create ECOs (Engineering Change Order) and Deviations.
• Effective interpersonal and written communication skills and multi-tasking capabilities.
• Must be comfortable with a rapidly changing work environment.
• Able to differentiate and identify components (using visual) of different colours.
• May require some travelling.

All listed requirements are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional task and responsibilities.

Preferred Experience/Education/Skills:

• BSc or MS in Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• 1+ years hands-on experience with optical systems in the lab and manufacturing environment essential.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and accuracy, and the ability to work independently in a team environment are essential.
• Must possess good analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, Python, Matlab, JMP, Zemax will be a plus
• Experience with FDA regulated medical device product development preferred.
• Product development experience in the life sciences, biotech, biomedical, nanotechnology or semiconductor industries preferred.

Illumina believes that everyone has the ability to make an impact, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information.