Assembly Technicians II

IDEX; West Henrietta (NY); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) retirement with company match

PTO

Job summary

IDEX is seeking an Optical Assembly Technician 2 to perform advanced optical assembly and alignment in a controlled clean-room manufacturing environment. You will actively align optics into metal housings, verify performance with high-precision tools, and secure components with precision adhesives.

Strong troubleshooting and independent work habits are essential. Preferred candidates have 3–5 years in precision optical assembly, with experience using autocollimators, alignment telescopes, and

Qualifications

• Requires micron- and sub-micron level accuracy in optical assembly
• 3–5 years of hands-on precision optical assembly experience
• Experience achieving micron-level alignment in production or lab environments
• Ability to work independently on complex optical assemblies with limited supervision
• Ability to interpret optical and mechanical drawings and tolerances

Responsibilities

• Perform active alignment of lenses and optical elements into metal housings using precision fixturing
• Use metrology tools to achieve required tolerances and verify performance
• Adjust decenter, tip, tilt, and axial position to meet specifications
• Apply adhesives and secure optics while maintaining alignment during cure
• Inspect optics and housings for defects and fit
• Document alignment data, measurements, and final build conditions

Skills

Optical alignment

Metrology

Precision measurement

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Independent worker

Quality awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical certification / associate degree in optics or precision manufacturing

Tools

Air-bearing spindles

Autocollimators

Alignment telescopes

Precision stages

Indicators

Micrometers

Bore gauges

Comparators

Dial indicators

Job description

If you’re looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you’ve found it. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX is a place where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in an environment where you can make an impact. With interesting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more across more than 40 diverse businesses around the globe, chances are, we have something special for you.

About the role

The Optical Assembly Technician 2 performs advanced optical assembly and alignment operations requiring micron‑ and sub‑micron‑level accuracy. This role is responsible for actively aligning optical elements to mechanical housings, verifying optical and mechanical performance, and permanently securing optics using high‑precision tools and metrology. Work is performed in a controlled clean‑room manufacturing environment and requires significant technical skill, judgment, and independence in the execution of high‑performance optical products.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform active alignment of lenses and optical elements into metal housings using precision fixturing.
• Use alignment and metrology tools such as air‑bearing spindles, autocollimators, alignment telescopes, precision stages, and indicators to achieve required tolerances.
• Adjust decenter, tip, tilt, and axial position to meet defined optical and mechanical specifications.
• Apply adhesives and permanently secure optics while maintaining alignment during cure.
• Inspect optical elements for defects including scratches, digs, chips, and coating defects.
• Inspect machined metal housings for burrs, surface damage, and dimensional inconsistencies.
• Evaluate cosmetic and functional acceptability using defined optical inspection criteria.
• Determine fitness‑for‑use of optics and hardware prior to assembly and escalate issues as required.
• Measure critical features using high‑precision metrology tools including micrometers, bore gauges, comparators, and dial indicators.
• Verify alignment results and dimensional stability before, during, and after bonding.
• Independently troubleshoot alignment and assembly challenges, including tolerance stack‑up, fixture inaccuracies, part variability, and contamination.
• Adapt alignment and assembly techniques within controlled parameters when documented processes are incomplete or ambiguous.
• Partner with engineering and quality to resolve complex assembly issues.
• Accurately document alignment data, measurements, and final build conditions.
• Provide technical feedback to support process improvement, yield enhancement, and design for manufacturability.
• Support root‑cause investigations and corrective actions related to optical assembly issues.
• Maintain high standards of workmanship, repeatability, and discipline in clean‑room operations.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical certification, associate degree, or equivalent advanced vocational training in optics, precision manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred.
• 3–5 years of hands‑on experience in precision optical assembly, active optical alignment, or optical metrology.
• Demonstrated experience achieving micron‑level alignment accuracy in a production or laboratory manufacturing environment.
• Experience working independently on complex, high‑precision optical assemblies with limited supervision.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of optical principles, precision measurement, and mechanical tolerancing.
• Proficiency with advanced optical alignment and metrology equipment.
• Ability to interpret optical and mechanical drawings, specifications, and tolerances.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to exercise technical judgment within defined quality systems.
• Ability to document complex alignment data clearly and accurately.
• Ability to communicate technical issues and observations effectively with engineering and quality teams.
• Demonstrates accountability, adaptability, and disciplined execution in a precision manufacturing environment.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a clean‑room manufacturing environment. Requires compliance with defined gowning and contamination‑control protocols. Involves handling delicate optical components and precision‑machined hardware. Requires sustained visual focus and fine motor control for detailed alignment tasks. May involve extended periods of sitting or standing. Requires compliance with ESD and chemical‑handling safety requirements.

Total Rewards

The compensation range for this position is $48,000.00 - $72,000.00, depending on experience. This position may be eligible for performance based bonus plan.

• Health benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings program with company match
• PTO
• More benefits available on our career page

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IDEX gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other consideration or protected category made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.