Optical Engineer Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Are you ready to collaborate with leading experts in optical engineering and contribute to the next level of precision and innovation? 

At Zygo, your skills and insights will be integral to our core values of curiosity, collaboration, and persistence. For over 50 years, Zygo Corporation in Middlefield, CT, has been a global leader in advanced optical metrology systems, ultra-precise optical components, and complex electro-optical systems. Join our team, where your expertise will drive innovative solutions, address complex technical challenges, and uphold the highest standards of precision and safety. We are seeking a Supplier Engineer - Mechanical at our Middlefield, CT facility.

As a Supplier Engineer - Mechanical you will support and develop our global supply base for precision mechanical components and assemblies. This is a technically focused, supplierfacing engineering role who will collaborate directly with suppliers and internal engineering teams to ensure mechanical designs are manufacturable, processes are capable, and components meet Zygo's technical and performance requirements. The role blends design understanding, manufacturing process expertise, and structured problem solving, with quality and risk management embedded into engineering execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary technical interface for mechanical suppliers, supporting precision machined parts, fabricated components, and mechanical subassemblies.
• Review and influence part designs for manufacturability, inspectability, and robustness in collaboration with internal design engineering.
• Support supplier selection, onboarding, and technical qualification activities.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes for capability, repeatability, and risk, particularly in lowvolume, highcomplexity environments.
• Support development and refinement of manufacturing processes, fixturing, and inspection strategies at supplier sites.
• Apply PFMEA, control planning, and process capability concepts as part of engineering risk management.
• Lead or support root cause investigations for supplier manufacturing issues, nonconformances, and escapes.
• Drive corrective actions that address true technical and process root causes, not just symptoms.
• Analyze supplier performance data and drive targeted improvement initiatives.
• Partner closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality to ensure smooth transitions from design to production.
• Support new supplier introductions and engineering changes from concept through stable production.

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, supplier engineering, or a closely related role.
• Strong understanding of precision manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, castings, fabrication, assemblies, paint, plating).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Handson experience with root cause analysis and process improvement.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work directly with suppliers; experience supporting suppliers in a highmix, lowvolume manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of PFMEA, SPC, Lean, or Six Sigma tools a plus.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 or similar quality systems (as applied to manufacturing).
• Experience working with global or distributed supply bases preferred.
• Ability to travel to suppliers or partner sites, if required.
• Communicating and influencing skills that foster collaborative problem-solving across functions.
• Flexible and able to pivot with changing priorities.

Engage your drive to achieve results and to grow your career with access to hands-on innovation opportunities, cross-disciplinary projects, and advanced training.

Bring your passion and commitment to Zygo, where we are curious, collaborative, persistent, confident, and problem-solvers and where safety and quality guide every step of our journey. Grow with us as we solve complex challenges, inspire confidence, and drive excellence in manufacturing.

Are you ready to expand the boundaries of possibility, simplify the complex, and embody the values that define our success?

We welcome your unique perspective and invite you to join us! We offer competitive compensation, benefits, (401k), and paid time off programs. Compensation and position level will be set based on experience.

Due to the nature of Zygo's programs and products, applicants must have the legal right to work in the US and additionally must be legally authorized to access export-controlled information and source code.