Lead Manufacturing Technician

Leonardo DRS; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off (vacation, holidays, and

Sick leave

Job summary

Leonardo DRS in Madison, WI, seeks a Lead Manufacturing Technician to assemble, align, and test complex optical modules in a cleanroom. You will mentor new team members, diagnose malfunctions, and ensure adherence to safety and regulatory requirements.

The role emphasizes leadership, precise mechanical and optical work, and collaboration with Engineering and Quality to meet KPIs and production deadlines.

Qualifications

• Requires an associate’s degree in a technical discipline and 8+ years of equivalent experience.
• Experience using precision optical, mechanical, and electrical measurement instrumentation (i.e., beam profile cameras, power meters, dial indicators, micrometers, calipers, and oscilloscopes).
• Must demonstrate strong decision-making and leadership skills.
• Experience handling small, delicate components, using Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) best practices.
• Experience in the safe handling of chemicals.
• Strong mechanical skills are required.
• Experience cleaning optics is a plus.
• Soldering and wire bonding experience is a plus.
• Experience with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, align, and test complex optical modules requiring micron-level optical and mechanical tolerances.
• Provide advanced technical support to engineers and scientists on complex components, devices, materials, products, processes, and equipment.
• Interpret and work from complex wiring and assembly drawings, operation sheets, engineering specifications, sketches, and running sheets.
• Perform complex electro-mechanical assembly, disassembly, rework, testing, and repair of various electronic products and mechanical assemblies.
• Diagnose the cause of electrical, optical, or mechanical malfunctions or failures of operational equipment, and perform preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Modify a variety of complex electrical prototypes to correct functional deviations.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Troubleshooting

Handling delicate components

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Associate's degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Precision measurement instruments

Beam profile cameras

Power meters

MRP systems

Soldering & wire bonding

Chemicals safety handling

Excel

Job description

DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life sciences; and industrial process control. As a mid-IR technology pioneer, Daylight Solutions has delivered more mid-IR systems to more applications world-wide than any other company.

Job ID

114911

Job Summary

As a Lead Manufacturing Technician, you will be responsible for the assembly, precise alignment, and testing of complex optical modules in a cleanroom environment. This role involves leadership responsibilities, including training new team members, diagnosing malfunctions, performing complex assemblies, and ensuring compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Assemble, align, and test complex optical modules requiring micron-level optical and mechanical tolerances.
• Provide advanced technical support to engineers and scientists on complex components, devices, materials, products, processes, and equipment.
• Interpret and work from complex wiring and assembly drawings, operation sheets, engineering specifications, sketches, and running sheets.
• Perform complex electro-mechanical assembly, disassembly, rework, testing, and repair of various electronic products and mechanical assemblies.
• Diagnose the cause of electrical, optical, or mechanical malfunctions or failures of operational equipment, and perform preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Modify a variety of complex electrical prototypes to correct functional deviations.
• Ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements applicable to the company in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
• Interface with other departments (e.g., Engineering, Quality) to assure the efficient flow of information and materials.
• Lead the training and mentorship of new team members.
• Meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for production deadlines, product quality (pass/fail rates), raw material stock levels, and compliance outcomes.
• Interpret and follow written documents such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety rules.
• Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization.

Qualifications

• Requires an associate’s degree in a technical discipline and 8+ years of equivalent experience in the field or in a related area.
• Experience using precision optical, mechanical, and electrical measurement instrumentation (i.e., beam profile cameras, power meters, dial indicators, micrometers, calipers, and oscilloscopes).
• Must demonstrate strong decision-making and leadership skills.
• Experience handling small, delicate components, using Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) best practices.
• Experience in the use of various computer applications, including Excel.
• Must be experienced in the safe handling of chemicals.
• Strong mechanical skills are required.
• Experience cleaning optics is a plus.
• Soldering and wire bonding experience is a plus.
• Experience with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems is a plus.

The salary range for this position is $28.87- $41.28/hour. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours. *Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.