Manufacturing Engineer III

Key Responsibilities: 

Design Interface

• Partner with Design Engineering throughout the product lifecycle to optimize manufacturability, assembly, testability, quality, and cost while incorporating lessons learned from production, site transfers, and field performance into future product designs.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews and evaluate BOMs, drawings, specifications, and product documentation.
• Lead manufacturing assessments and implementation of engineering change orders, ensuring seamless integration into production.
• Design, develop, and procure tooling, fixtures, and test equipment required to support manufacturability, assembly efficiency, and testability.

Production Interface

• Develop, qualify, and optimize assembly and test processes from prototype through full-rate production.
• Create and maintain clear, visual work instructions, manufacturing procedures, and test documentation.
• Design and implement production tooling, fixtures, and test equipment to support manufacturing operations.
• Define process flows, cycle times, line balance requirements, and critical process controls.
• Support prototype, pilot, and first-production builds to ensure successful product launches.
• Lead the resolution of manufacturing and quality challenges by partnering with Quality Engineering to improve yield, reliability, throughput, and defect performance through root-cause analysis and corrective action implementation

Site Transfer Interface

• Lead product transfer activities to Asia manufacturing sites and contract manufacturing partners.
• Develop and maintain complete transfer packages, including BOMs, standardized work instructions, process specifications, tooling documentation, and test procedures.
• Train operators, technicians, field service teams, suppliers, and contract manufacturers on manufacturing and test processes.
• Assess manufacturing readiness and provide on-site and remote launch support during production ramp-up.

Sustaining Engineering Support

• Support component obsolescence management through identification, qualification, and implementation of replacement parts.
• Resolve technical issues related to drawings, manufacturing processes, purchased components, subassemblies, and outsourced production.
• Lead investigations and resolution of post-launch manufacturing, quality, and reliability issues.
• Develop and execute validation activities for product, process, and supplier changes supporting released products.
• Drive cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives through alternate component qualification, process optimization, and lessons-learned implementation.

Qualifications: 

• Education:  Bachelors degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related technical discipline required, or equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience:  
  • Minimum 8 years of Manufacturing Engineering or New Product Introduction (NPI) experience supporting the manufacture and test of complex electro-mechanical or opto-electro-mechanical products.
  • Proven experience leading products from late-stage development through production launch.
  • Hands-on experience driving DFM/DFA reviews, engineering changes, and manufacturing process development.
  • Experience transferring products to offshore manufacturing or contract manufacturing environments preferred.
  • Experience with capital equipment, semiconductor test handlers, automation systems, or similar complex equipment preferred. 

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing and test processes, including:
  • DFM/DFA
  • GD&T
  • SPC
  • FMEA
  • Control Plans
  • Process Capability
  • Line Balancing
  • Critical Process Control
• Experience with:
  • BOM management and engineering change control
  • ERP and PLM systems
  • Test fixture and tooling design
  • Assembly and test troubleshooting
• Proficient in:
  • SolidWorks (including fixture and tooling design)
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Reading electrical schematics and engineering drawings
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate and train cross-functional, global, and multicultural teams.

Work Environment: 

• Combination laboratory, engineering, and manufacturing production floor environment.
• Frequent exposure to manufacturing equipment and intermittent production noise.
• Work in ESD-controlled areas required.
• Extended assignments at global manufacturing sites may be required during product transfer and launch activities.

Physical Demands/Strengths: 

• Frequent use of computers and keyboards.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods within manufacturing environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of time, including to global factory locations and customer locations.

Compensation: The estimated base pay range for this position is $98,000 to $108,000 per year, depending on qualifications, experience education, and other job-related factors. This range represents Cohu's good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for this role upon hire. This role may  also be eligible for other compensation programs as determined by company policy.

Featured Benefits:

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• 401 (k) with company matching contributions
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition assistance
• Disability & life insurance
• Profit Sharing