Manufacturing Engineering Technician

Attalon, Inc.; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 28,929 - 42,705; Full time

Job summary

Attalon, Inc. in Traverse City, MI is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Technician to support high-tech optical manufacturing and R&D operations.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, process improvement, and close collaboration with production teams in a clean, ISO-controlled environment. The ideal candidate has 6+ years of related experience, Solidworks proficiency, and a practical understanding of algebra and trigonometry.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 6+ years’ of related work experience or combination of education and experience required.
• Experience with Solidworks (or other 3D Modeling Software), or willingness to learn, is required.
• Basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry.

Responsibilities

• Mastering our existing process technology and improving it by hands-on involvement 20–50% of the time.
• Participating in Lean activities to improve data collection and work instructions.
• Conducting improvement experiments to enhance reliability and first pass yield.
• Transfer new products from R&D into production.
• Resolve routine production issues including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Design and set up test fixtures and inspect components against specs.

Skills

Hands-on

Algebra

Trigonometry

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associates Degree in a technical field

Tools

Solidworks

PLC Programming

Job description

About this position

Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.

Attalon in Traverse City, Michigan is a vertically integrated manufacturing and R&D campus specializing in high-performance optical isolators, photodetectors, and laser solutions for industrial, medical, scientific, and research applications. The site encompasses 40,000 sq. ft., including 15,000 sq. ft. of ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanrooms certified to ISO 14644-1:2015, enabling both high-volume production and rapid prototyping in a controlled environment.

At Attalon inc. in Traverse City, MI we foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our teams work in a state-of-the-art facility with advanced cleanrooms, precision manufacturing, and cutting-edge R&D labs, enabling us to deliver world-class optical solutions. We value continuous improvement, technical excellence, and teamwork, leveraging vertical integration to accelerate design cycles and meet challenging customer requirements. Employees thrive in an environment that combines high-tech engineering with hands-on problem solving, where ideas move quickly from concept to production. If you’re passionate about precision, creativity, and making an impact in photonics, you’ll fit right in.

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Technician to join our team in Traverse City, Michigan. The successful candidate will have experience with manufacturing process support in a high-tech industry. The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented, hands-on technician who will support efforts to improve existing products and processes.

Responsibilities

• Mastering our existing process technology and improving it -- including assisting, training, and working closely with the production technicians. This will be accomplished by being "Hands-On" with the product and processes, 20-50% of the time.
• Participating in Lean activities in the manufacturing area, for example, improving data collection, updating work instructions, and developing new and better manufacturing approaches and processes.
• Conducting improvement experiments in order to improve reliability and quality of our products and processes as well as first pass yield using a detail-oriented approach to experimentation and sharing those results with the rest of the team.
• Participating in transferring new products from R&D into production.
• Resolve routine production issues (Failure analysis, Root Cause Determination, and Implementing Corrective Actions).
• Tests designs and principles of physics related to laser optics.
• Design and setup test fixtures for experiments.
• Inspects mechanical and optical components against specifications and drawings.
• Assists engineers with concept and pre-production product builds.
• Maintain test equipment and labs, ensuring equipment is calibrated.
• Commitment to ISO procedures and policies.
• Establishing and maintaining statistical process control procedures/practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required
• 6+ years’ of related work experience or combination of education and experience required.
• Experience with Solidworks (or other 3D Modeling Software), or willingness to learn, is required.
• Basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates Degree in a technical field.
• 8+ years’ of related work experience or combination of education and experience.
• Experience with the operation of low and high-power free space and fiber lasers.
• PLC Programming Experience is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a "U.S. Person" under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.

Salary Information

$21 - $31.5 Hourly Wage