Operations & production manager

PhotonPath
Milan, Lombardy, Italy (On-site)
Full-time
Start date: May 2026

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.
If you'd like to understand who we are, what we build, and where we're headed, take a look here:



The 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. We are moving from a prototyping-led phase into a more structured industrial scale-up, and we need someone who can turn that transition into a concrete operating model: robust processes, reliable partners, scalable production, strong economics, and execution that holds up under growth.
This is not a maintenance role. It's a build role.
You will work at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and business growth- shaping how PhotonPath industrialises its products, ramps production, and delivers with consistency to telecom-grade customers and international markets.

Why this role matters

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

This role will be central to:

enabling revenue scalability from pilot to volume production
building a reliable, cost-efficient manufacturing backbone
ensuring qualification, readiness, and delivery performance for demanding customers
Your impact will be visible on:
time-to-market
unit economics, including COGS and yield
production scalability, from early volumes to large-scale manufacturing
Your mission
Design, build, and scale PhotonPath's production and operations engine - transforming advanced photonic prototypes into industrialised, repeatable, high-yield products.
What success looks like 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

What you'll work on

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 the KPIs that matter: 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 practicalSupply 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 designSystems & Infrastructure
Lead ERP/MRP implementation and adoption
Structure operational data flows and reporting systems
Build scalable operational processes that can 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
○ 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: you act like the founder of the production function
Pragmatic: you balance structure with speed
Systems thinker: you design processes that scale
Hands-on: you are comfortable moving from strategy to execution
Customer-oriented: you 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. You will 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. PhotonPath presents itself as an end-to-end photonic engineering company focused on industrialization, validation, and scalable product development, making this role especially central to the company's next stage.

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 the 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 yes ,we want it to be a place where bringing your dog will be possible