Optical instrument production supervisor

Description

Optical instrument production supervisors coordinate, plan and direct the optical instrument production process. They make sure the optical glass is processed properly and optical equipment is assembled according to specifications. They manage labourers working on the production line, oversee the quality of the assembled goods, and perform cost and resource management.

Optical instrument production supervisors typically do the following tasks:

  • Supervise a team of production technicians, providing guidance and support throughout the production process of optical instruments
  • Review production schedules, work orders, and specifications to determine assembly requirements and allocate resources accordingly
  • Assign work tasks to production technicians, monitor progress, and ensure timely completion of projects
  • Train and mentor production technicians on assembly techniques, quality standards, and safety protocols
  • Collaborate with engineering and design teams to provide input on product design, manufacturability, and assembly process improvements
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations and guidelines, implementing and enforcing safety protocols to prevent accidents and maintain a safe working environment
  • Monitor production operations to identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reductions, and increased productivity
  • Conduct regular quality control inspections of assembled optical instruments to verify compliance with specifications and standards
  • Troubleshoot assembly issues and work closely with technicians to identify solutions and prevent production delays
  • Coordinate with procurement and inventory teams to ensure the availability of necessary components and materials for production
  • Maintain accurate production records, including work orders, quality control inspections, and inventory management
  • Collaborate with other departments, such as quality control, research and development, and sales, to ensure smooth workflow and address customer requirements
  • Stay updated on industry trends, technological advancements, and best practices in optical instrument production
  • Implement and enforce continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction
  • Foster a positive work environment, promoting teamwork, open communication, and a culture of continuous learning and development

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to optical instrument production supervisor:

manager of optical instrument production
optical equipment assembly manager
optical equipment manufacturing supervisor
optical instrument production line manager
optical equipment production manager
optical instrument manufacturing supervisor
optical instrument assembly supervisor
supervisor of optical instrument production
optical instrument production manager

Working conditions

Optical instrument production supervisors typically work in manufacturing facilities or production plants dedicated to optical instrument production. The work environment may involve exposure to delicate optical components, specialized machinery, and potentially hazardous materials, requiring adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The role may involve standing or walking for extended periods and may require occasional lifting or carrying of optical instruments or components. Working hours may vary, including shifts or overtime to meet production demands or project deadlines.

Minimum qualifications

The educational requirements for an optical instrument production supervisor may vary depending on the industry and employer. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, although some employers may prefer candidates with post-secondary education or vocational training in optics, precision engineering, or a related field. Previous experience in optical instrument production or a similar role is essential to possess a comprehensive understanding of assembly techniques, optical components, and quality control processes. Strong technical skills, the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications, and proficiency in using specialized optical instruments and assembly equipment are crucial. Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are also necessary to effectively supervise and coordinate the work of production technicians.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Optical instrument production supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Optical instrument production supervisor career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to optical instrument production supervisor.

electrical equipment production supervisor
electronics production supervisor
optomechanical engineering technician
machinery assembly supervisor
wood assembly supervisor

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of optical instrument production supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of optical instrument production supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

optomechanical engineer
photonics engineer
optical engineer
optoelectronic engineer
compliance engineer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of optical instrument production supervisor.

  • Optics: The science that studies the elements and reaction of light.
  • Types of optical instruments: Possess information on the types of optical instruments and lenses, such as microscopes and telescopes, as well as on their mechanics, components, and characteristics.
  • Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
  • Optical engineering: Subdiscipline of engineering that deals with the development of optical instruments and applications, such as telescopes, microscopes, lenses, lasers, fibre optic communication, and imaging systems.
  • Optical components: The components and materials necessary for building optical instruments, such as lenses and frames.
  • Optical manufacturing process: The process and different stages of manufacturing an optical product, from design and prototyping to the preparation of optical components and lenses, the assembly of optical equipment, and the intermediate and final testing of the optical products and its components.
  • Supply chain management: The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of optical instrument production supervisor.

  • Monitor machine operations: Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
  • Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
  • Read assembly drawings: Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
  • Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
  • Monitor manufacturing quality standards: Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.
  • Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Plan shifts of employees: Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.
  • Evaluate employees work: Evaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check the application to ensure product quality and labour productivity.
  • Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
  • Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
  • Supervise work: Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.
  • Follow production schedule: Follow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various concerns like production, staffing, inventory, etc. It is usually linked to manufacturing where the plan indicates when and how much of each product will be demanded. Utilise all the information in the actual implementation of the plan.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Meet productivity targets: Devise methods to determine improvement in productivity, adjusting the goals to be reached and the necessary time and resources.
  • Perform resource planning: Estimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of optical instrument production supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Glass tempering: Technique of treating glass with high temperatures to increase its durability and safety.
  • Precision engineering: Engineering discipline related to the fields of electrical engineering, electronics engineering, software engineering, optical engineering, and mechanical engineering that deals with the development of apparatus with very low tolerances.
  • Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
  • Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
  • Microoptics: Optical devices with a size of 1 millimeter or smaller, such as microlenses and micromirrors.
  • Loading charts for transportation of goods: Understand the information displayed in loading charts showing the weight of shipments loaded in trailers. Read loading charts for the transport of larger items, dangerous materials or shipments that need special care.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of optical instrument production supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Wear cleanroom suit: Wear garments appropriate for environments that require a high level of cleanliness to control the level of contamination.
  • Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
  • Mount optical components on frames: Mount optical components, such as lenses, and precision mechanical components, such as frames, into assemblies and adjust. Lenses are mechanically set into place using threaded retaining rings and the use of adhesive cement on the outer cylindrical edge to hold individual lenses in place.
  • Provide documentation: Prepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.
  • Test optical components: Test optical systems, products, and components with appropriate optical testing methods, such as axial ray testing and oblique ray testing.
  • Oversee logistics of finished products: Ensure that the processes of packing, storage and shipment of finished products meet the requirements.
  • Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
  • Manage distribution channels: Oversee distribution channels with regards to the requirements of customers.
  • Chair a meeting: Chairing a meeting for a group of people, in order to formulate plans and decisions that are carried out by the company.
  • Cut glass: Use glass cutting tools or diamond blades to cut pieces out of glass plates, including mirrors.
  • Manipulate glass: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.
  • Maintain optical equipment: Diagnose and detect malfunctions in optical systems, such as lasers, microscopes, and oscilloscopes. Remove, replace, or repair these systems or system components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the equipment in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
  • Inspect optical supplies: Check optical materials for damage, such as scratches, before using the material.
  • Process incoming optical supplies: Receive incoming optical supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
  • Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
  • Repair optical equipment: Identify the problem of the optical instrument, check for deterioration, and replace deficient components.
  • Order optical supplies: Order optical equipment and materials, paying attention to the price, quality, and suitability of the supplies.
  • Maintain safe engineering watches: Observe principles in keeping an engineering watch. Take over, accept and hand over a watch. Perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Maintain the machinery space logs and the significance of the readings taken. Observe safety and emergency procedures. Observe safety precautions during a watch and take immediate actions in the event of fire or accident, with particular reference to oil systems.
  • Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
  • Operate optical assembly equipment: Set up and operate optical processing or assembly equipment, such as optical spectrum analysers, power saws, lasers, die bonders, soldering irons, and wire bonders.
  • Grind glass: Grind and polish glass or lenses smooth through the application of a range of glass grinding techniques. Glass can be ground using hand tools or glass grinding machinery. Treat the glass with abrasive chemicals during the process.
  • Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

ISCO group and title

3122 – Manufacturing supervisors


References
  1. Optical instrument production supervisor – ESCO
Last updated on May 31, 2023