Laboratory Technician (Hardware Prototyping & Lab Operations)

Tailored Management; Redmond; On-site; AUD 88,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Job summary

Tailored Management seeks a hands-on Lab Operations Technician to support hardware prototyping and lab operations for AR and smart glasses. You will oversee daily lab activity, precision equipment, and cleanroom readiness to enable rapid prototype development.

The role involves operating assembly and optical tools, supporting lens fabrication and display calibration, and maintaining rapid-prototyping gear while ensuring safety, quality, and documentation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on lab or manufacturing technician experience in an R&D environment.
• Experience operating precision lab equipment and following SOPs.
• Strong safety awareness and documentation discipline.

Responsibilities

• Operate assembly, alignment, and dispensing equipment for AR prototype builds.
• Support lens fabrication and display calibration workflows.
• Maintain rapid-prototyping equipment and lab safety compliance.
• Document procedures, train staff, and track equipment records.
• Collaborate with engineers and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced R&D setting.

Skills

Lab operations

Prototyping

AR/VR hardware

Equipment maintenance

Soldering

Safety compliance

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate in engineering

Tools

Jira

Job description

Note: This is a W-2-only position. We do not offer visa sponsorship and cannot accept H-1B, F-1/STEM OPT, 1099, C2C, or C2H arrangements.

Lab Operation Technician (Hardware Prototyping & Lab Operations)

Location: Redmond, WA

Pay Rate: $45 - $50/hr on W2

Contract: 12 Months, with possibility for extension

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Lab Operations Technician to support advanced hardware development and prototyping activities involving augmented reality (AR) and smart glasses technologies. The team develops next-generation prototypes spanning display engines, eyepieces, monocular display assemblies, and fully integrated glasses systems.

In this role, you will oversee the daily operation, maintenance, and readiness of specialized prototyping laboratories, precision equipment, and cleanroom environments. You will operate assembly and optical alignment tools, support lens fabrication and display calibration, maintain rapid-prototyping equipment, and ensure laboratory resources meet operational, quality, and safety requirements.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical troubleshooting skills, exceptional organizational abilities, and a proactive approach to equipment maintenance, laboratory safety, documentation, and user training. You will collaborate with engineers and cross-functional technical teams in a fast-paced R&D environment where priorities evolve and reliable laboratory operations are essential to prototype development.

Job Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations & Equipment Management

• Operate specialized assembly, alignment, and adhesive dispensing equipment to support AR and smart glasses prototype builds, including display engine alignment stations, MDA and BDA tools, and precision dispensing systems.
• Support optical lens fabrication and prescription (Rx) workflows using lens surfacing, casting, coating, edging, laser marking, and lensometry equipment.
• Operate display calibration and characterization systems, solar simulators, and surface metrology instruments. Prepare fixtures, execute established procedures, collect data, and organize and upload 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, equipment usage, and post-processing activities to support prototype development timelines.

Equipment Maintenance & Readiness

• Perform preventive maintenance, calibration tracking, first-line troubleshooting, and basic equipment repairs to maintain tool availability and performance.
• Coordinate vendor service, equipment installations, new-tool commissioning, and initial operational training.
• Maintain accurate equipment records, including tool status, location, ownership, calibration schedules, manuals, SOPs, and authorized users.
• Track prototype storage, laboratory assets, materials, and consumables to ensure resources are available when needed.

Laboratory Safety & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements, including chemical handling, safety data sheets (SDS), hazardous waste disposal, fume hood use, and adhesive storage.
• Follow laser safety requirements for Class 3B and Class 4 systems, including interlocks, signage, personal protective equipment, and applicable operating procedures.
• Enforce electrostatic discharge (ESD) controls and cleanroom protocols to protect sensitive components, equipment, and prototype assemblies.
• Monitor inventory levels for adhesives, solvents, lens blanks, printing materials, and cleanroom supplies; coordinate purchasing, replenishment, and receiving.

Documentation, Training & Cross-Functional Support

• Develop, update, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, equipment guides, and laboratory documentation.
• Train engineers and technicians on equipment operation, document competency signoffs, and maintain training records.
• Support capital equipment procurement by gathering specifications, manuals, SDS documentation, and EHS classification information.
• Assist with laboratory layout planning, equipment relocation, and new-tool integration.
• Partner with engineering teams, machine shop personnel, metrology specialists, and calibration teams to coordinate technical support and route work to the appropriate tools or resources.
• Maintain accurate laboratory asset and equipment information through internal tracking systems and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.

Must Have Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a laboratory, test, or manufacturing technician in an R&D, prototyping, or hardware development environment.
• Associate degree or technical certificate in an engineering or technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting precision laboratory or process equipment.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety practices, including chemical handling, SDS documentation, ESD controls, and laser safety for Class 3B/4 systems.
• Experience following and developing SOPs or work instructions and maintaining accurate equipment, calibration, inventory, and maintenance records.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple requests and shifting priorities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work on-site in a hands-on laboratory environment and collaborate effectively with engineers and technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical or ophthalmic lens processing, including surfacing, casting, coating, edging, lensometry, or optical alignment.
• Familiarity with camera-based or display-based calibration, optical characterization, and precision metrology systems.
• Experience operating and maintaining FDM and SLA 3D printers, laser cutting or marking systems, and related post-processing equipment.
• Previous cleanroom experience and familiarity with precision adhesive dispensing and UV curing processes.
• Soldering skills and experience performing basic electronics rework.
• Background in AR/VR, optics, consumer electronics, display technologies, or advanced hardware prototyping.
• Experience with laboratory inventory or asset management platforms, Jira, or similar tracking tools.
• Familiarity with Python scripting or AI-enabled tools for automating routine laboratory workflows and improving operational efficiency.

• Medical Coverage – HDHP, PPO, and Surest plan options