Manufacturing Engineering Technician

Atln; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Attalon Inc. in Traverse City, MI seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Technician to support high‑tech production. The role emphasizes hands‑on process improvement, data collection, and close collaboration with production teams to enhance yield and reliability.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in manufacturing tech, SolidWorks, and a practical, detail‑oriented approach to experimental work in a controlled environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of related work experience or a combination of education and experience.
• Experience with SolidWorks (or willingness to learn).
• Basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry.

Responsibilities

• Master existing process technology and improve it, including assisting, training, and working closely with production technicians.
• Participate in Lean activities to improve data collection, update work instructions, and develop better manufacturing approaches.
• Conduct improvement experiments to improve reliability and quality and first-pass yield.
• Participate in transferring new products from R&D into production.
• Resolve routine production issues (failure analysis, root-cause determination, corrective actions).
• Test designs and principles of physics related to laser optics.
• Design and set up test fixtures for experiments.
• Inspect mechanical and optical components against specifications and drawings.
• Assist engineers with concept and pre-production product builds.
• Maintain test equipment and labs, ensuring calibration.
• Commit to ISO procedures and policies.
• Establish and maintain statistical process control procedures.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Hands-on

Problem solving

Quality focus

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate’s Degree (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

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 are passionate about precision, creativity, and making an impact in photonics, you will fit well with our team.

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

• Master existing process technology and improve it, including assisting, training, and working closely with production technicians. This will be accomplished by being “hands‑on” with the product and processes, 20‑50% of the time.
• Participate in Lean activities in the manufacturing area, for example, improving data collection, updating work instructions, and developing new and better manufacturing approaches and processes.
• Conduct improvement experiments to improve reliability and quality of products and processes, as well as first‑pass yield, using a detail‑oriented approach to experimentation and sharing results with the team.
• Participate in transferring new products from R&D into production.
• Resolve routine production issues (failure analysis, root‑cause determination, and implementing corrective actions).
• Test designs and principles of physics related to laser optics.
• Design and set up test fixtures for experiments.
• Inspect mechanical and optical components against specifications and drawings.
• Assist engineers with concept and pre‑production product builds.
• Maintain test equipment and labs, ensuring equipment is calibrated.
• Commit to ISO procedures and policies.
• Establish and maintain statistical process control procedures and practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 6+ years of related work experience or a 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

• Associate’s Degree in a technical field.
• 8+ years of related work experience or a 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.