Job Title:  Manufacturing & Quality Engineer

At Zygo, your skills and insights will be integral to our core values of curiosity, collaboration, and persistence. For over 50 years, Zygo Corporation in Middlefield, CT, has been a global leader in designing and manufacturing advanced optical metrology systems, ultra-precise optical components, and complex electro-optical systems and assemblies. Join our team, where your expertise will drive cutting-edge solutions, address complex technical challenges, and uphold the highest standards of precision and safety.

As our Manufacturing & Quality Engineer, based at our Special Optics unit in Denville (NJ), you will be responsible for improving manufacturing performance, product quality, and operational effectiveness while supporting the site's ISO 9001 Quality Management System. This role partners with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to optimize processes, resolve manufacturing and supplier quality issues, drive corrective actions, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. The position serves as a key technical resource focused on enhancing quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction through data-driven decision making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manufacturing & Process Improvement

• Improve manufacturing processes, tooling, workflow, and process controls to enhance safety, quality, efficiency, and throughput.
• Support new product introduction, process transfer, and manufacturing readiness activities.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste, improve cycle time, and increase operational performance.

Quality Engineering & Problem Solving

• Lead root cause investigations to resolve manufacturing, supplier, and customer quality issues.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) through implementation and verification of effectiveness.
• Utilize structured problem-solving and statistical analysis tools to identify and resolve recurring issues.
• Support MRB activities and disposition of nonconforming materials.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Support and maintain compliance with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
• Conduct internal audits and support customer, certification, and registrar audits.
• Maintain quality documentation, calibration controls, and process effectiveness monitoring.

Supplier & Operational Performance

• Partner with suppliers and Supply Chain to resolve supplier quality issues and improve supplier performance.
• Develop and analyze key quality and operational metrics, including yield, scrap, rework, supplier defects, COPQ, and corrective action performance.
• Present results and recommendations to leadership.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• 3–5 years of manufacturing, quality, or process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment; precision manufacturing, optics, medical device, aerospace, semiconductor, or similarly regulated industries preferred.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective actions, and quality management systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills; knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SPC, DOE, PFMEA, Control Plans, and MSA preferred.
• Ability to leverage data and statistical methods to drive decision making and continuous improvement.
• Audit experience, supplier quality experience, or ASQ CQE certification preferred.
• Builds strong cross-functional partnerships and effectively influences outcomes.

Bring your passion and commitment to Zygo, where we are curious, collaborative, persistent, and confident, and where safety and quality guide every step of our journey. Grow with us as we solve complex challenges, inspire confidence, and drive excellence in manufacturing.

Are you ready to expand the boundaries of possibility, simplify the complex, and embody the values that define our success? We welcome your unique perspective and invite you to join us!

We offer competitive compensation, benefits, retirement (401k), and paid time off programs. Compensation and position level will be set based on experience.

*Due to the nature of Zygo's programs and products, applicants must have the legal right to work in the US and additionally must be legally authorized to access export-controlled information and source code.