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Engineering Director
Location: Lumentum, Navanakorn, Thailand
Position Summary
Lumentum is seeking a strategic, technically accomplished, and people-focused Engineering Director to lead engineering execution and support the growth of UHP at our Navanakorn site.
This role provides leadership across product, process, and manufacturing engineering, with accountability for new product introduction (NPI), technology transfer, process development and validation, yield improvement, cost optimization, and manufacturing scalability.
Partnering with Business Unit leadership, R&D, Operations, Quality, and global engineering teams, the Engineering Director translates product roadmaps and customer requirements into reliable, high-yield, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong business judgment and the ability to build high-performing teams within a global matrix organization.
Key Responsibilities
Engineering Strategy & Technical Leadership
- Define and execute the site engineering strategy in alignment with Business Unit objectives, product roadmaps, and manufacturing growth plans.
- Lead product, process, and manufacturing engineering teams across NPI, production ramp, sustaining engineering, and continuous improvement.
- Provide technical direction for complex engineering challenges, ensuring timely, data-driven decisions and sustainable solutions.
- Establish engineering standards, technical documentation, process controls, and knowledge-sharing practices that support consistent execution and scale.
- Drive the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and engineering best practices.
New Product Introduction & Technology Transfer
- Lead engineering activities for new product introductions and technology transfers from R&D and other manufacturing sites.
- Partner with R&D to incorporate design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and design-for-test (DFT) requirements early in product development.
- Establish manufacturing readiness criteria covering process qualification, equipment capability, test coverage, documentation, and workforce capability.
- Oversee process development, validation, qualification, and capability studies before release to volume production.
- Partner with Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve technical constraints and ensure a controlled transition to stable, high-volume manufacturing.
Operational Performance & Cost Optimization
- Drive measurable improvements in yield, scrap, rework, cycle time, process capability, and manufacturing cost.
- Establish engineering performance metrics and regular reviews to identify gaps, prioritize actions, and track results.
- Lead structured root cause analysis and corrective actions for complex product, process, equipment, and test issues.
- Partner with Operations and Quality to maintain stable, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing processes.
- Deliver cost reductions through process optimization, material utilization, equipment productivity, and automation while maintaining quality and reliability.
Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration
- Align engineering priorities with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and Commercial teams to support business objectives and customer commitments.
- Serve as a senior technical representative during customer audits, technical reviews, and escalations.
- Support capacity planning and capital investment decisions through technical assessments, resource requirements, and business cases.
- Collaborate with global engineering teams and contract manufacturers to align standards, share expertise, and resolve technical dependencies.
- Communicate engineering performance, risks, resource needs, and recovery plans clearly to site and Business Unit leadership.
Risk Management, Quality & EHS
- Identify and manage technical and operational risks throughout product introduction, technology transfer, and production ramp.
- Ensure appropriate process risk assessments, control plans, change controls, and qualification requirements are established and maintained.
- Implement risk mitigation and contingency plans to protect product performance, manufacturing continuity, and customer delivery.
- Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable safety, environmental, regulatory, quality, and Lumentum requirements.
- Partner with EHS and Operations to integrate safety into process design, equipment selection, installation, and engineering changes.
- Demonstrate visible safety leadership, review engineering-related EHS performance, and ensure timely completion of corrective actions.
- Promote a culture of injury prevention, hazard reporting, and shared accountability for workplace safety.
People Leadership & Organizational Development
- Build and develop a high-performing engineering organization capable of supporting business growth and increasing technical complexity.
- Define clear roles, performance expectations, decision-making authority, and accountability.
- Coach engineering managers and technical leaders to strengthen technical judgment, execution, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and development of critical engineering capabilities.
- Create an inclusive environment that encourages ownership, innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications & Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, Optical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- At least 12 years of progressive engineering experience, including significant leadership responsibility in high-tech, electronics, optical, or precision manufacturing.
- Proven experience leading product, manufacturing, or process engineering teams.
- Demonstrated success managing NPI, technology transfer, production ramp, and sustaining engineering.
- Strong technical knowledge of process development, validation, qualification, and manufacturing process controls.
- Proven results in yield improvement, complex technical problem-solving, and manufacturing cost optimization.
- Practical experience applying statistical analysis, structured root cause analysis, and Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience translating business priorities into engineering plans, resource requirements, and measurable outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders within a global matrix organization.
- Proven ability to develop engineering managers, technical leaders, and high-performing teams.
- Strong communication and executive presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex technical issues and business implications clearly in English.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
- Experience with optical, photonic, or semiconductor products, including precision assembly, packaging, or testing processes.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing expansion, automation, and capital investment programs.
- Experience working directly with global customers and manufacturing partners.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Please contact us to request accommodation.
