IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading producer of fiber lasers and amplifiers. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, IPG has over 4,800 employees in more than 25 locations around the world. We aspire to work together with our employees and customers to apply light in ways that improve life.

Our mission is to develop innovative laser solutions to make the world a better place. To accomplish this mission, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and an engaged and thriving workforce that drives a sustainable future for our company and society.

Working at IPG Photonics you can expect challenging projects, a motivating and friendly environment, and competitive benefits.

The Lead Technician is responsible for ensuring the reliability and performance of production equipment by applying advanced technical expertise and leadership within the maintenance team. This role serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for equipment and process reliability, leading troubleshooting efforts for complex and critical equipment issues. The Lead Technician performs and oversees root-cause analysis for systemic or high-impact failures, develops and implements corrective and preventive actions, and collaborates closely with engineering to drive process improvements and equipment reliability strategies. This position requires strong hands-on experience working with advanced deposition systems, including PVD, sputtering, e-beam, and evaporative deposition equipment. In addition, the role leads daily maintenance execution, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures high standards of safety, quality, and operational performance in a fast-paced, high-technology manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities include:

Serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for equipment performance, troubleshooting, and process reliability.
Leading daily maintenance operations, prioritizing tasks and assigning work to technicians to meet production needs.
Leading troubleshooting and repair of advanced systems including:
- Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
- Sputtering systems.
- E-beam deposition equipment.
- Evaporative deposition systems.
- Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) equipment and vacuum pumps.
Partnering with engineering teams on equipment upgrades, retrofits, and root-cause analysis to drive continuous improvement.
Coordinating and overseeing the preventive maintenance (PM) program, ensuring execution, documentation, and compliance.
Training and mentoring technicians, promoting technical development, safety, and reliability best practices.
Managing spare parts and inventory, including ordering critical components and maintaining appropriate stock levels.
Coordinating with external vendors for equipment repair, technical support, and parts sourcing.
Arranging and tracking off-site repair of equipment or components as required.
Ensuring accurate and thorough documentation of all maintenance activities in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
Supporting a cleanroom work environment, maintaining strict adherence to quality, safety, and operational protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for equipment and process reliability, including advanced vacuum and deposition systems (PVD, sputtering, e-beam, and evaporative deposition).
Lead daily maintenance priorities and assign work to other technicians.
Partner with engineering on upgrades, retrofits, and root-cause analysis, particularly for deposition and vacuum-based equipment.
Coordinate preventive maintenance (PM) program execution, documentation, and compliance across all supported toolsets.
Train and mentor team members, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and equipment reliability standards.
Order parts and supplies, managing inventory for critical components such as vacuum hardware, power supplies, and deposition sources.
Coordinate sending equipment or components out for external repair.
Contact vendors for technical support, parts availability, and repair assistance, especially for specialized deposition systems.
Ensure accurate documentation of all maintenance activities and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Problem Solving / Troubleshooting:

Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex and critical equipment issues, including PVD, sputtering, e-beam, and evaporative deposition systems.
Perform and oversee root-cause analysis for systemic or high-impact failures, particularly within vacuum and thin-film deposition processes.
Develop and implement corrective actions and preventive measures across the team to improve equipment uptime and stability.
Collaborate with engineering to design and implement process improvements and equipment reliability strategies for advanced manufacturing systems.

Level of Independence:

Works with high autonomy; sets priorities for the maintenance team and manages workflow across multiple equipment platforms.
Authorized to make decisions on repairs, adjustments, and process improvements within company guidelines, including critical deposition systems.
Acts as the primary liaison between maintenance, engineering, and vendors for technical issues related to vacuum and thin-film equipment.
Provides leadership and technical direction to all maintenance staff; may have input on performance evaluations.
Serves as the go-to expert for advanced deposition technologies, guiding team response to complex equipment challenges.

Technician Lead - Equipment Maintenance

About the Job