Operations & Production Manager

Job Description

PhotonPath

Milan, Lombardy, Italy (On-site)

Full-time

Start date: May 2026

Overview

At PhotonPath, we are building the next generation of integrated photonics and bringing it from advanced prototypes to industrial‑scale production. With headquarters in Milan Bovisa, PhotonPath brings together R&D, engineering and manufacturing to turn deep‑tech innovation into real‑world products.

Role

We’re looking for an experienced, engineering‑driven Operations & Production Manager to build and scale PhotonPath’s production and operations engine. This is a pivotal role for the company: moving from a prototyping‑led phase into a more structured industrial scale‑up and turning that transition into a concrete operating model—robust processes, reliable partners, scalable production, strong economics and execution that holds up under growth.

Why this role matters

PhotonPath is entering a defining phase: moving from validated prototypes to industrial‑scale production.

Core Responsibilities

• Enabling revenue scalability from pilot to volume production
• Building a reliable, cost‑efficient manufacturing backbone
• Ensuring qualification, readiness and delivery performance for demanding customers

Impact Areas

• Time‑to‑market
• Unit economics, including COGS and yield
• Production scalability, from early volumes to large‑scale manufacturing

Mission

Design, build and scale PhotonPath’s production and operations engine—transforming advanced photonic prototypes into industrialised, repeatable, high‑yield products.

Success in the first 12–24 months

• Core products successfully industrialised with a robust NPI framework in place
• Production ramp‑up executed with external partners such as PHIX, Jabil or equivalent manufacturing players
• End‑to‑end production processes and SOPs defined and implemented
• A clear production infrastructure roadmap established, balancing internal and external manufacturing
• Target KPIs on yield, cost and lead time achieved
• ERP/MRP systems introduced to support operations at scale
• A structured operations and production function built around company growth

Key Work Areas

NPI & Industrialisation Leadership

• Design and implement a structured New Product Introduction process
• Ensure an effective transfer from R&D to manufacturing
• Integrate DfM, DfA and DfT principles into product development
• Drive industrial readiness from early product stages, not only at handover

Production System Design & Build‑up

• Define the production strategy, including internal versus outsourced manufacturing
• Lead the setup and refinement of early production capabilities, including workflows, tools, equipment and layout
• Identify facility requirements across lab, cleanroom and assembly environments
• Build a production model that can support future volume growth without losing control or quality

Manufacturing & Partner Ecosystem

• Manage and grow relationships with contract manufacturers and key suppliers
• Ensure alignment on quality, process discipline and delivery performance
• Drive ramp‑up, qualification and readiness for industrial execution
• Support manufacturing readiness for demanding standards and customer expectations, including telecom‑grade environments

Operational Excellence & Performance

• Define and track KPIs such as yield, lead time, on‑time delivery and cost per unit
• Drive continuous improvement and root‑cause problem solving
• Build data‑driven operating routines, dashboards and performance visibility
• Bring structure where needed while keeping execution fast and practical

Supply Chain & Cost Engineering

• Define a resilient supply‑chain strategy, including multi‑sourcing and risk mitigation
• Own the production cost structure and cost reduction roadmap
• Improve procurement, inventory logic and material flow
• Work on scalability not just in capacity but also in economics

Quality, Reliability & Compliance

• Ensure full traceability and process robustness across the production chain
• Support product qualification, certification and manufacturing readiness
• Enable customer audits and strengthen operational trust
• Contribute to a production culture that supports quality by design

Systems & Infrastructure

• Lead ERP/MRP implementation and adoption
• Structure operational data flows and reporting systems
• Build scalable operational processes that support the next stage of company growth

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a builder with real industrialisation experience—not a purely operational executor.

Must‑have

• MSc in Management Engineering or a similar engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in high‑tech manufacturing environments such as photonics, optics, electronics or semiconductors
• Proven experience in NPI and industrialisation, production ramp‑up and working with external manufacturing partners
• Strong understanding of manufacturing economics, including yield, cost structures and scaling dynamics

Strong plus

• Experience in photonics or telecom hardware
• Exposure to Telcordia or similar qualification standards
• Experience scaling production in a startup or scale‑up environment

Mindset we value

• Ownership‑driven: act like the founder of the production function
• Pragmatic: balance structure with speed
• Systems thinker: design processes that scale
• Hands‑on: comfortable moving from strategy to execution
• Customer‑oriented: understand that operations is a critical enabler of delivery, reliability and trust

Why join PhotonPath

Because this is a rare opportunity to build the operations backbone of a deep‑tech company at exactly the moment when it matters most. You will help define how cutting‑edge photonic products move from prototype to industrial reality, work on globally relevant technology, contribute directly to strategic decisions and shape a function that will influence PhotonPath’s scalability, performance and long‑term value.

What we offer

• The chance to build and shape a critical function from the ground up
• A high‑impact role in a fast‑growing deep‑tech company with international exposure
• Direct exposure to strategic decisions and the company’s scaling journey
• Supplementary health insurance
• Wellhub membership
• 2 extra days of parental leave per month on top of statutory allowance
• Stock options
• Free fruit, snacks and coffee
• Managerial training through our internal academy
• €8 meal vouchers, always
• Flexibility and a trust‑based working culture
• One day of remote working per week
• We’re currently looking for our new office space and want it to be a place where bringing your dog is possible