Laser Optical Technician: Beam, Alignment & Metrology

IPG Defense; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation time

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with company matching

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

IPG Defense Huntsville is seeking an Optical Engineering Technician to support high-energy laser systems, performing beam characterization, precision alignment, and optical bench metrology in a clean-room environment.

You will operate and maintain laser equipment, document results, and assist with manufacturing and safety compliance, contributing to defense-grade photonics programs in a small, technically focused team.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Photonics Technology or related technical field (military optical/laser training acceptable).
• 2–5 years of hands-on optics, laser systems, or photonics manufacturing experience.
• Proficiency with optical test and metrology equipment (power meters, beam profilers, spectrometers, interferometers).
• Experience with precision laser alignment and optical assembly techniques.
• Knowledge of laser-safety protocols and optical component handling.
• Ability to read optical drawings, specifications, and assembly procedures.

Responsibilities

• Execute beam characterization: M², power, wavelength, beam profile measurements using meters and profilers.
• Perform optical bench metrology with interferometers and alignment telescopes; set up test benches.
• Document optical performance data in lab databases.
• Perform precision laser and optical alignments of lenses, mirrors, prisms, and assemblies.
• Assemble prototype optical systems and fiber-optic assemblies including splicing and termination.
• Maintain clean-room protocols and optical component handling.

Skills

Optics & photonics

Laser alignment

Beam characterization

Metrology equipment

Reading optical drawings

Safety protocols

Education

Associate degree in Photonics Technology

Tools

Power meters

Beam profilers

Spectrometers

Interferometers

Job description

IPG Defense Huntsville is seeking an Optical Engineering Technician to support high-energy laser systems, performing beam characterization, precision alignment, and optical bench metrology in a clean-room environment.

You will operate and maintain laser equipment, document results, and assist with manufacturing and safety compliance, contributing to defense-grade photonics programs in a small, technically focused team.