Lab Operations Technician

PRI Global; Redmond; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

PRI Global is seeking a hands-on Lab Operations Technician to support prototype builds, optical systems, calibration, and everyday lab operations in Australia. You will manage equipment, materials, safety procedures, and respond to lab requests with strong technical troubleshooting and meticulous data handling.

The role requires experience in hardware prototyping, testing or manufacturing environments and comfort with calibration, metrology, and rapid-prototyping tools.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a lab, test, or manufacturing technician in prototyping, hardware development, testing, or manufacturing.
• Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and calibrating precision lab equipment including optical, alignment, metrology, dispensing, or fabrication tools.
• Experience with 3D printers (FDM/SLA), laser cutting/marking, soldering, or basic electronics rework.
• Knowledge of lab safety and cleanroom practices including chemical handling/SDS, ESD, laser safety, adhesives, and UV-curing processes.
• Experience creating and following SOPs/work instructions and maintaining equipment, calibration, inventory, and maintenance records.
• Experience in AR/VR, consumer electronics, optics, or hardware prototyping is a plus.
• Familiarity with Jira, inventory/asset tracking systems, Python, scripting, or AI tools is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Operate assembly and alignment equipment used for prototype builds, including display-engine alignment, lens-panel alignment, adhesive dispensing, and other precision tools.
• Support in-house lens fabrication and prescription lens processes, including lens casting, coating, edging, laser marking, and lens verification.
• Operate display calibration, characterization, and surface-metrology equipment.
• Set up fixtures, collect data, and upload test results according to procedures.
• Operate and maintain rapid-prototyping equipment, including FDM and SLA 3D printers, laser cutters, ultrasonic cleaners, lab ovens, and soldering stations.
• Manage print queues, post-processing, and prototype storage.
• Perform preventive maintenance, track calibration schedules, troubleshoot equipment issues, and coordinate vendor repairs.
• Support new equipment installations, tool setup, and user training.
• Maintain equipment, inventory, calibration, location, ownership, and training records.
• Manage lab materials and consumables, track stock levels, place reorders, and receive lab materials.
• Maintain laboratory safety and EHS compliance, including chemical inventory, SDS, hazardous waste, fume hoods, laser safety, ESD, PPE, and cleanroom procedures.
• Write and update SOPs, work instructions, and equipment user guides.
• Train engineers and technicians on lab tools and maintain training records.
• Support capital-equipment purchases by collecting technical specifications, manuals, SDS documents, and EHS information.
• Assist with lab-layout planning, equipment moves, and coordination with engineering and partner teams.

Skills

Lab experience

Technical troubleshooting

Documentation

Safety compliance

Multitasking

Education

Associate degree / technical certificate

Tools

3D printers (FDM/SLA)

Laser cutters

Soldering

Basic electronics rework

Jira

Python scripting

AI tools

Job description

We are looking for a hands-on Lab Operations Technician to support prototype builds, optical systems, equipment maintenance, calibration, and day-to-day laboratory operations.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in a hardware development, prototyping, testing, or manufacturing environment. This position requires strong technical troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage equipment, materials, safety procedures, and multiple lab requests.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate assembly and alignment equipment used for prototype builds, including display-engine alignment, lens-panel alignment, adhesive dispensing, and other precision tools.
• Support in-house lens fabrication and prescription lens processes, including lens casting, coating, edging, laser marking, and lens verification.
• Operate display calibration, characterization, and surface-metrology equipment.
• Set up fixtures, collect data according to established procedures, and organize and upload test results.
• Operate and maintain rapid-prototyping equipment, including FDM and SLA 3D printers, laser cutters, ultrasonic cleaners, lab ovens, and soldering stations.
• Manage print queues, post-processing activities, and prototype storage.
• Perform preventive maintenance, track calibration schedules, troubleshoot equipment issues, and coordinate vendor repairs and service.
• Support new equipment installations, tool setup, and user training.
• Maintain accurate equipment, inventory, calibration, location, ownership, and training records.
• Manage lab materials and consumables, including adhesives, solvents, resins, and cleanroom supplies.
• Track stock levels, place reorders, and receive lab materials.
• Maintain laboratory safety and EHS compliance, including chemical inventory, SDS documentation, hazardous waste, fume hoods, laser safety, ESD, PPE, and cleanroom procedures.
• Write and update SOPs, work instructions, and equipment user guides.
• Train engineers and technicians on lab tools and maintain training records.
• Support capital-equipment purchases by collecting technical specifications, manuals, SDS documents, and EHS information.
• Assist with lab-layout planning, equipment moves, and coordination with engineering and partner teams.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a lab, test, or manufacturing technician in a prototyping, hardware development, testing, or manufacturing environment.
• Associate degree or technical certificate in an engineering/technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and calibrating precision lab/process equipment, including optical, alignment, metrology, dispensing, or fabrication tools.
• Experience with 3D printers (FDM/SLA), laser cutting/marking, soldering, or basic electronics rework is preferred.
• Knowledge of lab safety and cleanroom practices, including chemical handling/SDS, ESD, laser safety, adhesives, and UV-curing processes.
• Experience creating and following SOPs/work instructions and maintaining equipment, calibration, inventory, and maintenance records.
• Experience in AR/VR, consumer electronics, optics, or hardware prototyping is a plus.
• Familiarity with Jira, inventory/asset tracking systems, Python, scripting, or AI tools is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is proactive, organized, safety-focused, and comfortable working directly with precision laboratory equipment. You should be able to troubleshoot technical issues, maintain accurate documentation, and work closely with engineers and other technical teams in a fast-moving prototype environment.