R&D Engineer APVD Specialist (M/F) (Optical Fiber Manufacturing)

Location: Douvrin, France; onsite at the Douvrin plant. Regular travel within hirify.global's international organization is required.

Company

hirify.global is an international company developing and manufacturing optical fiber and other cable technologies through multicultural, multisite teams.

What you will do

• Develop, optimize, industrialize, and transfer Advanced Plasma Vapor Deposition (APVD) and related optical fiber preform manufacturing processes.
• Lead process qualification and validation with Product R&D, Quality, Process Control, Manufacturing, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Conduct experiments, analyze data, draw conclusions, and implement process recommendations.
• Investigate production deviations, perform root-cause analysis, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield, cost, process robustness, and operational excellence.
• Contribute to innovation through patents, publications, technical benchmarking, technology watch, and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• Engineering degree or MSc/University degree in materials science, optics, photonics, physics, chemistry, or process engineering.
• At least 3 years of experience in industrial R&D, process development, manufacturing engineering, or technology development.
• Experience with Design of Experiments, process characterization, and industrial qualification methodologies.
• Strong experimental mindset, data analysis capabilities, statistical decision-making skills, autonomy, rigor, and reliability.
• Fluent English required; French is an advantage.
• Commitment to health, safety, environmental regulations, and industrial performance.

Nice to have

• PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of optical fiber manufacturing, glass processing, deposition technologies, or plasma processes.
• Knowledge of fiber design and manufacturing constraints.
• Programming, data analytics, and database experience with Python, SQL, or statistical software.
• Direct management experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Access to resources supporting individual responsibility and employee development.
• Feedback culture with employee surveys and international development programs.
• Internal academy supporting professional growth.
• Inclusive environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Multicultural and multisite collaboration within an international organization.