Manufacturing Operations Manager

Who We Are  

At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a massively growing market. We are a leading provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications, to name a few. Our lasers are changing not only the way things are made, but also changing the things that can be made. 

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

The Manufacturing Operations Manager leads day-to-day production operations for the manufacturing organization, including work performed on the clean room floor. This role is responsible for building, managing and retaining a safe, high-performing team; meeting safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity goals; and driving continuous improvement through strong execution, workforce development, and cross-functional partnership. 

Responsibilities:

• Owns key manufacturing performance metrics, including safety, quality, delivery, productivity, yield, inventory accuracy, labor efficiency, cost, revenue attainment, on-time delivery, and lead time.
• Uses daily management practices, including tiered accountability meetings, KPI reviews, visual management tools, metric reporting, and escalation processes, to improve performance and resolve issues quickly.
• Ensures manufacturing operations meet defense customer requirements, contractual obligations, quality management system standards, export control regulations, and company policies.
• Maintains product traceability, configuration control, material accountability, and documentation standards required for defense and government programs.
• Leads change initiatives that support new processes, technologies, facility layouts, and operating models.
• Provides leadership and direction for new and existing products in partnership with senior management and cross-functional teams. 
• Identifies and addresses bottlenecks, staffing needs, and capacity constraints to support cost-effective production capability.
• Leads supervisors, leads, technicians, and specialists to achieve quality, yield, delivery, cost, and cycle-time goals.
• Promotes a safe work environment by reinforcing safety expectations, supporting incident investigations, and modeling safe behaviors.
• Coaches, trains, recognizes, and develops employees to build team capability and achieve business results.
• Reviews and approves employee time and attendance records in compliance with applicable wage and hour laws.
• Drives continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, structured problem solving, and visual management tools to improve performance and reduce waste.
• Partners with R&D, supply chain and quality teams to improve process efficiency, product yield, and manufacturability.
• Supports new product introductions and manufacturing transfers by ensuring personnel, equipment, processes, documentation, and capacity are ready for production.
• Develops supervisors, leads, and emerging leaders through succession planning and career development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of high-tech manufacturing experience, including 3+ years in a manufacturing leadership role and experience supporting defense, aerospace, military, government, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, export-controlled technologies, and controlled technical data requirements.
• Hands-on experience applying lean manufacturing tools such as material pull/kanban, visual management, one-piece flow, value-stream mapping, and 5S.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.
• Ability to work successfully with minimal direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.

Work Environment: 

This role operates in both an office environment and a manufacturing clean room setting. The position requires regular presence on the production floor to engage with employees, observe operations, support issue resolution, and ensure compliance with safety, quality, cleanliness, and gowning requirements. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in both office and clean room environments, including regular time spent walking, standing, and moving throughout the production area.
• Ability to wear required clean room attire and personal protective equipment as needed.
• Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move materials or equipment in accordance with role expectations and company safety guidelines.

nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: 

 Pay level is based on qualifications: 

• Manufacturing Operations Manager: $110,000 to $125,000 annually 

Other Compensation and Benefits

• Target Cash Bonus of 6-8% of earned wages
• Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 10 paid Holidays
• Eligible for health benefits on the 1st day of the month after your start date
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance

nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. To qualify for this position, you must be a US Person (that is, a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status). 

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (360) 566-4460 or HR@nlight.net. 

E-Verify Participation: 
nLIGHT participates in the E-Verify program. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. 

For more information, please review the following notices: 

•  E-Verify Participation Poster  
•  Right to Work Poster