Senior Optical Technician - Kiwistar

EOS group; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KiwiStar Optics in Wellington, New Zealand, seeks a Senior Optical Technician to lead fabrication, testing and alignment of precision optical components and opto‑mechanical assemblies. The role involves supervising colleagues, mentoring juniors and driving quality through metrology.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience in high‑precision optical or mechanical manufacturing, strong communication and a focus on safety and process improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum: NCEA Level 3 with Math, English, Physics.
• Ideally: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering.
• At least ten years' experience in a high precision optical or mechanical manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead fabrication, testing and alignment of precision optical components.
• Review and develop new processes, plans, plant and products.
• Supervise procurement and acceptance of materials and tooling for projects.
• Mentor junior team members and promote safe work practices.
• Ensure quality control through metrology and measurement data.

Skills

Strong communication

Problem solving

Detail orientation

Team collaboration

Health & safety awareness

Customer focus

Education

NCEA Level 3

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Engineering

Job description

We continually strive to help our workforce achieve their professional and personal goals, engaging them in challenging and inspiring projects. The Senior Optical Technician is a key member of the optical manufacturing team whose role and responsibilities will include completing all necessary tasks to enable the development, manufacture, testing and alignment of precision optical components and opto‑mechanical assemblies. The role and responsibilities include working with other team members to meet customer, project and our business expectations, as well as taking their own responsibility for professional and technical development. The role will primarily be to take responsibility for the fabrication, handling and testing of a range of optical and non‑optical components. As required the role will supervise and mentor junior team members.

Primary Duties

• Review, plan and develop new processes, plant, and products.
• Recommend design and material changes to reduce cost and lead time on projects.
• Be involved in the review of bid requirements and specifications, develop effort and cost estimates, fully participate in the development of proposal responses and risk mitigations
• Lead and supervise the review of project instructions, specifications and drawings, planning of fabrication requirements, testing of precision optical components and opto‑mechanical assemblies at both task and project level.
• At each stage of the manufacturing or assembly process ensure the specifications are met and confirmed by test and measurement results and date to ensure the work meets quality control requirements.
• Lead and supervise the procurement and acceptance of materials, resources and components as required for projects
• Lead and supervise the design and manufacture of tooling for manufacturing optical components.
• Lead and supervise the set up and testing of optical components as required, using various types of metrology and optical testing equipment.
• Accurately interpret and record measurement data and inspection results.
• Lead and supervise the assembly, integration, alignment and testing of opto‑mechanical assemblies.
• Lead and supervise the performance of routine preventative maintenance of tools and equipment as required.
• Ensure the general tidiness and cleanliness of workshop areas and machinery
• Lead and be responsible for your own and others health and safety, by taking appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents, and/or incidents in ways that comply with our H&S policies, procedures, and systems.
• Promote health and safe behaviours at work.
• Act as an advocate, ambassador and champion to best represent KiwiStar Optics in the broadest sense and help build a high profile within industry and with other external stakeholders.
• Other duties as required

Key Attributes

• Have a thorough understanding of the processes and equipment to lead and supervise the manufacture of high precision optical components from a range of materials.
• Results driven with attention to detail and high accuracy
• Works collaboratively and has strong communication and influencing skills
• Demonstrates an ability to learn, has practical engineering ability and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong Customer focus
• Physically able to carry items weighing up to 20 kg

Experience

• At least ten years’ experience in a high precision optical manufacturing environment, and/or at least ten years’ experience in a high precision mechanical manufacturing environment

Qualification

• Minimum: NCEA Level 3 equivalent with achievements in Math, English, Physics
• Ideally: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering