Product Engineering Manager

Job Purpose:

Responsible for all technical aspects of laser diode arrays and assemblies. Will serve as technical lead for product design, performance, quality, and costs. Own and drive product improvement and success. This role is the primary technical interface for customers, suppliers, and internal teams, and provides regular status and outlook updates to company leadership.

Core Responsibilities

• Act as the main technical point of contact for assigned products, coordinating discussions with customers, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and management.

• Interface with current and potential customers on technical product capabilities; determine product specifications based on customer needs and product constraints.

• Own product configuration, including specifications, BOMs, test plans, and documentation, ensuring accuracy and configuration control.

• Review and approve design, process, and test changes to maintain or improve performance, quality, and manufacturability.

• Drive and maintain product roadmaps and release plans aligned with customer and program schedules; track qualification, pilot builds, and production ramp activities.

• Support failure analysis for in‑process issues, qualification failures, and customer returns; drive root‑cause investigations and corrective/preventive actions.

• Build and maintain expertise in key failure modes and reliability drivers for laser diode arrays and assemblies; support reliability test planning and data analysis.

• Monitor product performance and yields across manufacturing; identify improvement opportunities and drive corrective actions.

• Track product cost (material, labor, overhead) and support pricing, margin analysis, and cost‑reduction initiatives.

• Manage performance, specifications, and manufacturability for multiple products throughout the entire product lifecycle.

• Prepare and deliver technical presentations to customers, management, and cross‑functional teams; support customer and vendor visits as needed.

• Communicate product status by reporting on capabilities, yields, failure modes, and cost trends.

• Travel to customers, vendors, and conferences to support product‑related activities.

Basic Requ irements:

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field, with a minimum of five years of laser or semiconductor experience.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience with data analysis and data‑driven decision making.

• Ability to develop innovative technical and system solutions that meet requirements within program budgets and timelines.

• Strong interpersonal skills; able to interact with SMEs and end users across diverse technical and operational backgrounds.

• Self‑motivated leader and team player capable of working with minimal direction.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Physics, Optical Sciences, or related field. Secondary degrees count toward experience (Master’s = +1 year, PhD = +2 years).

• Hands‑on experience in laser characterization.

• Knowledge of optical component testing/troubleshooting, precision metrology, manufacturing, and integration processes.

• Experience with hardware development for high‑reliability applications.

• Ability to assess risk and make design decisions with incomplete data.

• Competence with optical test equipment (power meters, interferometers, laser sources).

• Experience with earned value management.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

[NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.]

Leonardo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Here are the hiring process steps and what you can expect from us:

Step 1: Application Review:

Upon submitting your application, it is made available to the recruitment team to review and ensure you meet the basic qualifications.

Step 2: Interview:

If you have been identified to move forward in the process, you may be invited to participate in a one-on-one or panel interview. The interview format can be a phone call, in-person, or virtual meeting.

Step 3: Offer:

If you reach this stage of the interview process, congratulations! You will be provided an offer to join the Leonardo Electronics US Inc. team. The offer will include details about your salary, benefits package and start date.