Laser Department Manager

The Laser Department Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of the laser processing operation, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, staffing, equipment performance, continuous improvement, and strategic growth initiatives. This position oversees daily production activities while ensuring the department consistently meets customer requirements, regulatory standards, and company objectives.

The ideal candidate is a technically accomplished leader with broad expertise in laser processing technologies—including metal and polymer cutting, welding, marking, and ablation—and a demonstrated ability to lead teams, optimize processes, and develop scalable, repeatable manufacturing solutions that deliver consistent quality and

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Operations

• Lead daily operations of the laser manufacturing department.

• Develop departmental objectives aligned with organizational goals.

• Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate department personnel.

• Manage labor allocation and production scheduling to optimize throughput.

• Foster a culture centered on safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Production Management

• Ensure all production targets related to safety, quality, delivery, and cost are achieved.

• Monitor capacity utilization and identify constraints.

• Develop capacity analysis methods and respective plans to support growth.

• Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions as necessary.

• Oversee equipment maintenance, calibration, and qualification activities.

Technical Oversight

• Provide expertise in laser processing applications, including: cutting, welding, marking, and ablation.

• Support process development, validation, and optimization efforts.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to transition products from development into production.

• Evaluate and implement new technologies and automation opportunities.

• Support customer audits, technical reviews, quoting activities, and resolution of quality issues.

• Ensure compliance with applicable ISO requirements, internal quality system procedures, and customer-specific quality requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Position will require supervisor duties of department staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications

• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and integrity.

• Excellent communication and collaborative leadership skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related technical discipline.

• Five to seven years of combined experience within the medical device industry

o Programming variety of high precision laser systems.

o Manufacturing leadership experience.

• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.

• Experience with statistical analysis (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), pareto analysis, metrology and process validation methodologies (IQ, OQ, and PQ).

• Passion for continuous improvements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIORNMENT:

• Requires standing, walking, and bending for periods of time in a manufacturing environment, and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off, Personal Days, AND Birthday Holiday!
• Lifetime Membership Subsidy and Wellness Resources
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Taco Thursdays!!!

Nextern is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.