Photonics engineer (MSc, NMBU) with nearly three years of industry experience in optical test, reliability and device characterization across Sweden, Norway and Germany.

My passion in life is learning. Over the past twelve years in academia, I have focused on understanding how the world works, pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and applying that understanding to real-world problems.

For me, learning extends beyond the material world—it also includes human behavior and social dynamics. I have invested significant time in studying psychology and philosophy, and I actively apply these insights in my own life and in supporting friends and colleagues. I enjoy engaging in meaningful conversations, particularly when helping others navigate professional and personal challenges.

I am motivated to pursue a career that involves both my scientific experience and also conflict resolution and people management, where I can combine analytical thinking with strong interpersonal skills.

A strategic operations leader and manufacturing engineering expert driving innovation in high-volume automotive lighting and precision optics fabrication.

With a career spanning over 25 years, the journey began with a deep-seated interest in precision engineering, which evolved into a mastery of automotive lighting operations. This progression was fueled by a commitment to bridging the gap between complex manufacturing engineering and large-scale plant operations, specifically within the demanding optics and automotive sectors. Holding a B.Tech from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science and currently pursuing an MBA, this academic background provides the perfect synergy of technical expertise and strategic business acumen.

A significant chapter of this career was written during a 14-year tenure at India Japan Lighting, a subsidiary of Koito, Japan. This role was pivotal in pioneering the establishment of greenfield factories across India, totaling over 56,000 square meters of manufacturing space. Key technical milestones included the installation and optimization of advanced coating technologies such as PVD, PECVD, and IR-UV treatments. A hallmark achievement during this period was the execution of the assembly setup for India’s first single-LED headlight, a project that required strict adherence to Japanese EMS standards and high-precision engineering.

Transitioning into senior leadership at Neolite ZKW and UNO Minda, the focus shifted toward global industrialization and high-level process optimization. Noteworthy successes include establishing in-house SMT operations and driving a 15% increase in production efficiency through flow production implementation. These efforts were instrumental in increasing segmental market share from 4% to 22% while simultaneously reducing scrap by 30%. This phase demonstrated an ability to manage complex project operations not only in India but also internationally, including standards establishment for factories in Russia and Uzbekistan.

In the most recent role as Associate Vice President at FIEM Industries, executive oversight was provided for multiple units with a turnover exceeding 450cr. By spearheading a 200% capacity addition in SMT operations within a record three weeks and managing the production of 200,000 units per day, a culture of operational excellence was maintained. This role integrated diverse processes, including high-pressure die casting for heat sinks and complex assembly, all while achieving peak EBITDA through strategic resource optimization.

Looking forward, the ambition is to continue leading transformative greenfield projects and global plant operations. The focus remains on integrating Industry 4.0 standards and alternate technologies to redefine manufacturing excellence within the global optics and automotive lighting landscape.

Keywords:

• Operations & Strategy: Plant Head, COO, P&L Accountability, Greenfield Projects, Capex/Opex Management, Supply Chain Optimization.

• Optics Manufacturing: Automotive Lighting, LED Head Lamp Design, SMT Operations, PVD & PECVD Coating, Mirror Manufacturing.

• Engineering & Technology: Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling & Moulding, High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC), Process Integration, Industry 4.0.

• Quality & Excellence: Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Kanban, ISO Standards, Layered Process Audits (LPA), Scrap Reduction.

• Leadership:Team Building (50+ Engineers), Cross-Cultural Management, Strategic Sourcing, Stakeholder Relations.

Photonics and Laser Engineer with 6+ years of experience in optical design, laser system development, and experimental implementation. Experienced in Zemax, Python, solid-state and fiber lasers.

Currently seeking opportunities in Europe in Optical Engineering, Photonics, and Laser R&D.

Hello,

I hope you are doing well.

I am currently looking for new opportunities, and was wondering if you had any positions that would be a good fit for me. I am open to any sort of optical engineering, including sales, applications, and design.

Attached is my LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-li-259818ba

I love doing lens design, can work with metrology setups, and enjoy programming.

Looking forward to working with you!

Best,

Eric

Manufacturing Operations Leader | Expertise in Precision Production & Process Optimisation for High-Tech Environments including Optical Media

A highly accomplished techno-commercial manufacturing leader with over 25 years of experience, he is an award-winning professional renowned for transforming manufacturing through strategic localisation, ESG initiatives, and digitalization to achieve sustainable growth. Throughout his career, which includes earning four promotions in nine years, he has consistently driven P&L growth, business transformation, and operational excellence, seamlessly combining hands-on leadership with board-level insight in complex manufacturing environments.

His extensive background includes a pivotal role at Moser Baer India Ltd., one of India’s largest optical media (CDs/DVDs) manufacturers. As Assistant Manager – Production, he spearheaded operations in the CD-R division, demonstrating a strong command over quality control, cost efficiency, and process optimisation. During his tenure, he notably reduced blank substrate rejection from 7% to 4%, significantly enhancing process yield and material efficiency – critical aspects of precision manufacturing akin to optical component production. He also successfully executed a Green Belt project, optimising lacquer coating thickness from 9μ to 5μ, which generated substantial cost savings and showcased his analytical approach to process improvement.

Beyond optical media, his career is marked by a consistent ability to elevate manufacturing performance across diverse high-tech sectors including telecom, auto components, and electronics. At Radio Design, he championed localisation initiatives, transferring 18 SKUs from the UK to India and scaling monthly output from zero to 12,000 units in brownfield projects. He drastically reduced imports by 40%, saving ₹32M, and improved First Pass Yield (FPY) by 15%, alongside a 30-day reduction in cash conversion cycle, highlighting his holistic approach to operational efficiency. His leadership at Huber Suhner Electronics saw him direct operations across three units with a 600+ team, raising On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) to 99.5% through meticulous production planning and scheduling. He also expanded assembly capacity by 67%, reducing throughput time and demonstrating his expertise in bottleneck removal and efficiency gains. At IFB Automotive, he revitalised plant revenue by 56% within two years by resolving chronic supply and quality issues, and boosted EBIT by 6% (from 12% to 18%) through astute cost control and operational efficiency initiatives. He significantly raised Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) from 75% to 84% through automation and lean practices, directly applicable to optimising precision machinery often found in optical manufacturing. His strategic leadership also included successful VA/VE projects and localised sourcing, saving millions, and improving productivity by 40% in unionised environments at Hitachi Metglas, aligning quality with global benchmarks.

A certified NLP practitioner, he combines hands-on manufacturing leadership with board-level insight, proficient in P&L management, Greenfield & Brownfield projects, and digital transformation, including ERP implementation and Intelligent Factory concepts. His expertise extends to multi-plant and unionised workforce leadership, quality management, compliance (HSEQ, ESG), and talent development, all while maintaining a focus on customer excellence and sustainable growth.

He holds an Executive MBA in Operations & Supply Chain and Leadership & Strategy from NMIMS, complemented by a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Agartala, providing a robust technical foundation essential for understanding complex manufacturing processes and equipment, including those relevant to optical systems. With a proven ability to drive business transformation and deliver sustainable results, he is poised to leverage his extensive operational expertise, particularly his background in high-precision manufacturing and optical media production, to lead and innovate within demanding industrial environments, including those focused on advanced optical technologies and components.

Keywords: Manufacturing Operations, Process Optimisation, Yield Improvement, Quality Management, Production Management, Capacity Expansion, Lean Manufacturing, Automation, Cost Control, Supply Chain Management, Digital Transformation, P&L Management, Business Transformation, Strategic Sourcing, Project Management, Bonded Manufacturing, Optical Media Production, Lacquer Coating, Substrate Efficiency, High-Precision Manufacturing.