Laser Manufacturing Engineer NPI
Reports to: Laser Technologies Manager
Location: Berlin, CT
A day in this role
Morning on the floor in Berlin, CT begins with a new laser-cutting program queued on a cell you helped qualify. You fine-tune parameters, review trial parts, and confirm cycle times and yields meet targets. By midday, you’re with R&D handing off a welding conceptturning early learnings into NPI-ready documentation. In the afternoon, you’re on a design review with a medical device customer, steering DFM/DFA choices so production can scale smoothly. You wrap up by updating control plans and PFMEAs, then prep for a quick call with AVNA’s Costa Rica team about an equipment qualification.
Impact and goals
- Become a trusted AVNA partner through collaboration and follow-through.
- Lead by example and champion AVNA’s Mission, Pillars, and Values.
- Grow laser-based business by launching new products that meet scope, quality, and performance objectives.
- Deliver yearly objectives on schedule and within budget.
What you’ll own
- Drive all NPI activities for laser cutting, welding, and markingfrom process development to handoff.
- Plan and execute smooth transitions to production/sustaining teams with proven cycle time, efficiency, and quality performance.
- Translate R&D concepts into robust NPI processes and documentation.
- Author and execute qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ) for parts, processes, and equipment.
- Create protocols, reports, work instructions, visual standards, training materials, setup and parameter sheets.
- Partner with Quality and project teams on process routings, control plans, PFMEAs, and material data sheets.
- Troubleshoot nonconformances, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
- Set up equipment, write part programs, and establish efficient, repeatable laser processes.
- Lead or support customer meetings, DFM/DFA reviews, and internal/external conference calls.
- Define scope, implement, and qualify new laser equipment aligned to program needs.
- Travel as needed to customers, industry events, tradeshows, and AVNA’s Costa Rica facility.
How you’ll work
- Positive, team-first mindset in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on, responsive, and self-directedcomfortable leading or supporting cross-functional teams.
- Calm under pressure; adaptable to change and complexity.
- Skilled relationship builder with internal and external customers.
- Analytical and results-driven, with strong problem-solving capability.
- Committed to total customer satisfaction (internal and external).
- Curious about adjacent manufacturing domains (Quality, Design & Automation, Project Management, Accounting, Quoting/Estimating, Sales).
- Capable of juggling multiple projects with excellent organization and time management.
- Decisive, solution-oriented, and open to feedback.
- Professional demeanor with strong emotional self-management.
Skills that set you up for success
- Exceptional technical writing and presentation skills.
- Blueprint fluency and GD&T proficiency.
- Design of Experiments (DOE) planning and analysis.
- Machine and process troubleshooting.
- Experience with relevant laser/manufacturing software (preferred).
- Understanding of G&M code.
- Strong grasp of laser and optics principlesboth theoretical and practical.
- Facility with statistical software and interpretation of charts.
- Understanding of medical device validation/qualification procedures.
Background we’re looking for
- 5+ years in manufacturing.
- Hands-on laser processing experiencecutting, welding, and marking (highly preferred).
- Medical component/sub-assembly manufacturing and Medical PPAP experience (highly preferred).
- Track record of developing robust, scalable processes and launching into high-volume production.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and external customers.
- Exposure to custom machinery solutions and automation (preferred).
Education
- BSME or equivalent experience.
You should be proficient in:
- Bachelor's Degree
- Engineering Degree
