New

Tooling Engineering Manager

nLIGHT, Inc.
paid time off, paid holidays, long term disability, tuition assistance, 401(k)
United States, Colorado, Longmont
Jun 11, 2026
Description Location: Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience: 5+years' experience managing multi-disciplinary technical teams Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Opticsor related field. Compensation: $130,000-$170,000 depending on experience. Who We Are nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities - from semiconductor device through target identification - to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country. Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR). Summary: Working within the Production Operations group, the Tooling Engineering Manager leads the development and execution of advanced manufacturing tooling strategies to support the scalable production of high-power laser platforms. The position oversees a multidisciplinary engineering and technician team spanning mechanical, optical, electrical, and controls disciplines. With responsibility for cost, performance, and lifecycle management of tooling systems, this leader ensures rigorous design standards, documentation, and change control practices while fostering cross-functional collaboration. The role also contributes technically when needed and drives team performance through effective leadership and talent development. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at:https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.Please review this information before applying. Responsibilities: Establish and maintain a multi-disciplinary engineering team that devises, designs and builds robust tooling and process equipment suitable for safe and reliable volume manufacturing of high-power laser platforms. Manage mechanical, optical, electrical, programming (CIM) engineering and technician resources. Drive close collaboration with product and EHS teams to establish safety, workflow, interface, testing and data management requirements. Oversee, organize and track tooling cost/performance trade-offs and as-built costs. Enforce tool design documentation rigor, archiving and change control. Administer annual performance reviews to team members along with other HR-related activities as required. Participate in design activities at a contributor-level when appropriate and/or necessary. Required Experience / Capability: Minimum of BS degree in mechanical engineering. Technical and team management experience is highly preferred. Candidates will have at least 5 years of development experience. 10 years' experience and high-power laser/optical experience is preferred. Detailed understanding of precision mechanical design associate with optical assemblies and the principles of fine mechanics to maintain micron-scale tolerances. Proficiency with SolidWorks and engineering drawing practices including tolerance analysis and working understanding of GD&T Detailed understanding of machining tools, methods and capabilities. Candidate shall be highly organized and detail-oriented with clear and professional written and oral communication skills Strong understanding of the principles of heat transfer, thermal modeling, stress/strain behavior, materials selection and standard machining and sheet metal process Benefits Summary: 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year 11 paid Holidays Employee Stock Purchase Plan Tuition Assistance Program Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100% Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [emailprotected].