Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Location: Rochester, New York

Department: Engineering

Reports to: Director of Engineering

Work arrangement: On-site

Travel: Periodic, infrequent travel may be required. Ability to travel and communicate effectively globally.

Compensation: The target hiring range is generally $140,000–$165,000, depending on relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, and business needs. This role is eligible for QED's annual performance-based incentive program with a target opportunity of 15% of base salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package and 401(k) program.

About QED Technologies

At QED Technologies, we are building what's next.

For 30 years, QED has helped customers solve complex challenges in precision optics through advanced fabrication and metrology technologies. Our proprietary solutions support applications across aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, space and astronomy, research, fusion, and other advanced industries.

Our work depends on talented people who bring curiosity, precision, collaboration, and ownership to difficult problems. We are building a high-performing culture where people are trusted to make an impact, teams work across boundaries, and continuous improvement is part of how we operate.

The Opportunity

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads and develops QED's Manufacturing Engineering function, providing the technical, operational, and people leadership that keeps our manufacturing processes robust, scalable, and efficient as we support current production and future growth.

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this role partners closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Management to enable successful product introduction, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement across QED's manufacturing operations. You will lead, mentor, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers, while also providing hands-on technical guidance for complex manufacturing and production challenges.

This is more than a process-improvement role. The successful candidate will combine deep, hands-on manufacturing engineering expertise with strategic planning, team development, and cross-functional leadership. You will be comfortable balancing the demands of people leadership with the technical rigor required to drive manufacturing excellence, quality, and compliance across QED's product lines.

What You Will Do

Leadership and team development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Manufacturing Engineering team, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career development.
• Establish team priorities, resource plans, and workload balancing to support business objectives and project timelines.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support for complex manufacturing and production challenges.

Manufacturing process strategy and improvement

• Define, standardize, and continuously improve manufacturing processes, tools, and best practices across QED products.
• Lead process optimization initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and data-driven methodologies.
• Establish process capability metrics, KPIs, and reporting to monitor performance, yield, cost, and quality.
• Work closely with Quality on root-cause analysis and corrective action processes for significant manufacturing issues.
• Manage and continuously improve the ECN process and associated tools.

New product introduction and product support

• Partner with Systems, Mechanical, Research, and Operations teams to ensure successful transition of new products from development into production.
• Promote and educate the team on the use of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), and manufacturability reviews.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness through tooling development, validation, documentation, and training.
• Support and oversee prototype builds, pilot runs, and engineering change implementation.

Quality, compliance, and lifecycle management

• Partner with Quality to define and maintain robust process validation, inspection strategies, and quality standards.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with internal procedures, customer requirements, and relevant industry and regulatory standards.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts related to safety, process capability, robustness, and equipment reliability.
• Support audits, corrective action plans, and ongoing compliance initiatives.
• Oversee manufacturing engineering support across the full product lifecycle, from introduction through end-of-life.
• Plan and execute process scaling, capacity expansion, and equipment upgrades to meet business demand.
• Evaluate risks related to component obsolescence, supply continuity, and manufacturability.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of technical documentation, PLM/MRP records, and change control processes.

What Success Looks Like

• The Manufacturing Engineering team is well-led, appropriately resourced, and growing in capability, with clear priorities and strong accountability.
• Manufacturing processes are standardized, well-documented, and continuously improved, with measurable gains in yield, cost, and quality.
• New products transition smoothly from development into production, with manufacturing readiness established ahead of launch.
• Manufacturing issues are resolved through disciplined root-cause analysis and corrective action, in close partnership with Quality.
• Manufacturing processes remain compliant with internal procedures, customer requirements, and relevant industry and regulatory standards.
• Capacity, equipment, and supply-continuity risks are identified and addressed proactively, supporting business growth without disruption.
• Cross-functional partners across Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain view Manufacturing Engineering as a reliable, technically strong partner.

What You Bring

• Minimum B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Optical Engineering or Technology, with more than 10 years of work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• More than 5 years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience, including leadership or project team ownership.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex mechanical, optomechanical, and electromechanical systems.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to influence across functions.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing engineering principles, production systems, and quality management systems.
• Hands-on technical background in mechanical, optical, and/or electromechanical systems.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., PTC Creo, SolidWorks) and manufacturing documentation systems (PLM/MRP/ERP).
• Strong command of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and process capability analysis.
• Proven experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, FMEA, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present technical and business information to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience managing or mentoring manufacturing engineers.
• Experience in optics, precision manufacturing, semiconductor, or advanced materials industries.
• Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt) or Lean certification.
• Familiarity with ISO quality standards and regulated manufacturing environments.

Work Location

The primary work location for this position is QED's main headquarters in Rochester, NY. Applicants must reside within commuting distance of the Rochester location. Relocation will not be provided for this role.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

QED Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

QED Technologies provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. If you require an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Human Resources.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.

Export-Control Notice

This position may involve access to information, technology, software, or products controlled under U.S. export-control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations. Where applicable, QED may need to determine whether an export license or other authorization is required for a candidate to access controlled information.