Contract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Portland, OR

Coherent's Laser Systems and Measurement (LSM) business designs and manufactures multi-laser light engines, laser diode modules, and laser measurement products for bioinstrumentation, microelectronics, industrial, and scientific markets.

The Engineering Manager is a technical and people leader within the development engineering team, working closely with the Engineering Director and other Engineering Managers in a multi-project development environment. In this role, you will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, execute product development projects to meet timelines and requirements, delivering high-quality laser and measurement product designs

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Team Leadership

• Manage and develop a team of engineers across optical/laser, mechanical, electrical, and test disciplines.
• Provide day-to-day technical guidance, coaching, performance feedback, and career development for direct reports.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented engineering culture.
• Support resource planning in coordination with engineering director and other engineering managers in the R&D team.

Technical & Product Development Leadership

• Provide technical leadership for the development of laser engines, laser diode modules, multi-laser light engines, and laser measurement systems.
• Guide system-level design decisions, requirements flow-down, design reviews, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure sound engineering practices across design, prototyping, testing, verification, and documentation.
• Review and approve technical deliverables to ensure performance, quality, reliability, and safety requirements are met.
• Remain close at a technical level to provide credible technical guidance, design review input, and problem-solving support as needed.

Project Management

• Lead execution of development projects from concept through design release and transfer to manufacturing.
• Develop and manage schedules, priorities, and resource allocation for assigned projects.
• Identify technical, schedule, and resource risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Ensure projects follow the phase-gate development processes and hold phase-gate reviews for project milestones.
• Ensure product deliverables such as design documentation, test results, analyses and outputs are reviewed and recorded. 
• Support NPI transfer activities to ensure effective handoff of new products to Operations.
• Support customer engagement and technical discussions as needed in coordination with the Engineering Director, Product Management, and Sales.
• Provide clear and timely program status updates, technical assessments, and risk communication to the engineering management team.

Education & Experience

• BS degree required (MS or PhD preferred) in Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7-10 years of experience in laser or photonics product development, including hands-on engineering roles.
• 2-5 years of experience in an engineering leadership role, including direct people management or formal technical team leadership.
• Laser system product development experience (free-space and/or fiber-coupled) strongly preferred

Technical Background & Skills

• Broad understanding of laser systems, laser diodes, modules, optics, and optical/mechanical integration.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary development teams (optical, mechanical, electrical, firmware/software, and test).
• Familiarity with system-level architecture, prototype development, and validation testing (including automated instrumentation/laser measurement where applicable). 
• Working knowledge of laser safety and laboratory best practices.
• Strong technical judgment with system-level thinking.
• Clear written/verbal communication and comfort translating business needs into executable requirements and engineering plans.
• Experience with engineering project management tools/methods (Wrike/Agile/Kanban).

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.