Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Company:

WaveRyde Instruments is growing its world-class technical team to develop quantum sensor systems for 5G applications. A spin-off from Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories (QVIL), WaveRyde benefits from strong support by QVIL and leaders in the wireless industry. WaveRyde is located in Waterloo, Canada (near Toronto), in the heart of Canada’s ‘Quantum Valley’ with excellent academic research and technology communities, including outstanding universities. The WaveRyde Instruments team includes pioneering leaders in quantum sensors and wireless technologies.

Job Description:

We are seeking a full-time lead manufacturing engineer to join our team on-site in Waterloo, Canada. In this role, you’ll be responsible for new product introduction (NPI), from prototype and pilot builds through production transfer, and for ensuring the manufacturability, scalability, and reliability of instrument systems that integrate electronics (FPGA & Analog/RF), optoelectronics (lasers, photodetectors), and optical components (fiber optics). This role requires hands-on experience with production scaling and collaboration with cross-functional teams consisting of R&D scientists and engineers, suppliers, and contract manufacturers.

The immediate priority is instrument testing, qualification, and improvements driven by test results, alongside manufacturing readiness. Hands-on mechanical design focuses on integrating electronic and optical components in an enclosure, including mounting, standoffs, and fiber routing. As the team grows, support the handover of mechanical design and testing to a dedicated mechanical engineer while retaining manufacturing ownership.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM), Design-for-Assembly (DFA), and Design-for-Test (DFT) efforts for quantum sensor instruments.
• Lead pilot builds, manufacturing readiness reviews, and controlled transfer into production.
• Work closely with R&D and production teams to optimize electronics, optoelectronics, and optical systems for manufacturing, including enclosure layout, component mounting, assembly fixtures, fiber routing, modularity, and serviceability.
• Develop and update enclosure layouts, mounting brackets, standoffs, and fiber routing; improve mechanical details in response to test results.
• Develop and implement cost-reduction and reliability improvement strategies. Track unit cost, first-pass yield, rework, and cycle time, and drive corrective actions with R&D.
• Manage technical relationships with OEMs, ODMs, and manufacturing partners to streamline production. Assess partner capability, capacity, availability, and delivery commitments.
• Lead MIL-STD-810 shock, vibration, and environmental qualification, including test plans, fixtures, laboratory coordination, acceptance criteria, and results review.
• Investigate test failures with R&D, implement controlled design and manufacturing changes, and verify improvements through retesting.
• Design and validate shipping packaging, coordinate transport testing of the packaged instrument, and implement changes based on results.
• Collaborate with supply chain and procurement on component availability, supplier qualification, alternate parts, and obsolescence risks.
• Work with R&D and production teams to establish quality controls, production test and calibration procedures, acceptance criteria, traceability, and corrective actions.
• Create and maintain manufacturing bills of materials, work instructions, process flows, and engineering change controls.
• Lead day-to-day manufacturing engineering work and coach engineers and technicians through production builds.

Required qualifications:

• B.S. / Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Electrical, Mechanical, or related field).
• Practical experience planning and coordinating qualification tests, reviewing results, investigating failures, implementing design improvements, and verifying them through retesting.
• Hands-on mechanical design experience with instrument enclosures, component mounting, standoffs, and cable or fiber routing, including practical CAD layouts and drawings.
• Direct experience taking electronic instruments from prototype and pilot builds into repeatable production, including production scaling.
• Proven expertise in Design-for-Manufacturability for electronic instruments and assemblies.
• Ability to lead a small team and collaborate effectively with the R&D lead, optics, electronics, production, and suppliers.
• Hands-on experience with contract manufacturers or external production partners, including technical transfer and production troubleshooting.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes and documentation, production test requirements, and structured root-cause analysis.

Preferred:

• Proven experience in implementing Design-for-Reliability principles and failure analysis in manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Proficient in MIL-STD-810 standards compliance and testing. Experience with shipping and transport testing against applicable qualification requirements.
• Proven track record of implementing cost-reduction strategies in manufacturing.
• Experience with manufacturing ERP systems, bills of materials, and engineering change control.
• Experience integrating optical or optoelectronic components, including optical fiber handling, routing, and protection.

WaveRyde Instruments provides a competitive compensation and benefits package, along with a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment. If you're passionate about joining our team and contributing to our mission, we invite you to apply.

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.