Subsystem Build and Test Manager

Responsibilities

- Lead daily production of optical breadboards, bonded assemblies, vacuum/mechanical hardware, radio-frequency (RF) control cards, electronics chassis, and cable assemblies.

- Recruit, train, and qualify engineers and technicians; allocate build owners, benches, fixtures, and shared instruments across parallel subsystem workstreams.

- Work with Engineering on first-of-a-kind builds and with Manufacturing Engineering & Quality to establish repeatable assembly methods and subsystem test procedures.

- Confirm material kits, released instructions, qualified personnel, and calibrated equipment are ready before work begins; maintain clean-handling and laboratory safety practices.

- Provide hands-on direction for optical alignment, precision assembly, and troubleshooting; coordinate specialist bonding, electronics, and vacuum work and escalate design issues.

- Oversee approved subsystem measurements and acceptance tests, including optical characterization, electronic checkout, and applicable mechanical or vacuum verification.

- Maintain build, inspection, and test records; release subsystems to SI&T with traceable results and resolved or formally dispositioned issues.

- Track build progress, first-pass acceptance, rework, and cycle time; resolve bottlenecks and use repeat-build findings to improve methods and fixtures.

Experience & Education

- BS in optical, mechanical, electrical, or manufacturing engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant technical experience; advanced degree preferred.

- 10+ years building and testing precision optical or scientific hardware,

- 3+ years leading multidisciplinary engineers and technicians.

Qualifications

- Hands-on experience with optical bench assembly and alignment, plus working experience coordinating electronic or vacuum/mechanical subsystem production.

- Experience moving engineering prototypes into controlled repeat builds; production of quantum-computer, atomic-physics, or advanced photonics hardware preferred.

- Practical knowledge of optical assembly, alignment, cleanliness, bonding coordination, and the measurements used to verify precision optical subsystems.

- Working knowledge of electronic/RF assembly, chassis and cable checkout, and vacuum/mechanical build requirements.

- Ability to plan labor, bench, and instrument capacity while maintaining required inspection and test gates.

- Experience with released drawings, work instructions, calibrated equipment, nonconformance records, and traceable subsystem release packages.

- Strong hands-on leadership and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to coach engineers and technicians and distinguish process problems from design issues.

- Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds