Manufacturing Technician

Lightera; Avon (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Second shift premium

Health benefits

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Growth opportunities

Paid holidays

PPE and safety gear allowance

Job summary

LIGHTERA, Avon, CT, is seeking a Manufacturing Technician for the 2nd shift to operate and maintain fiber optic manufacturing equipment. You will drill and machine preforms, manage tooling, and ensure quality per drawings and specifications.

You will troubleshoot equipment, perform preventative maintenance, and help keep the shop safe and organized while supporting production goals and process improvements.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required, a related Associate Degree is a plus.
• CNC operation experience with at least 2 years in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on with machine tools and gauges, especially in glass materials.
• Able to troubleshoot equipment and processes, read blueprints and drawings.
• Knowledge of metrology and geometric tolerancing, with tight tolerances.
• Capable of writing procedures and following complex layouts.
• Strong time management, attention to detail and leadership qualities.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate equipment to drill and machine fiber optic preforms to print.
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment (coolant tanks, filters, cleaning).
• Change tooling between products and inspect outputs against specs.
• Maintain process/instruction records and review process stability.
• Manage tooling inventory and run multiple machines concurrently.
• Support production rod draw needs and complete JDE transactions for work done.
• Identify issues needing Engineering or Maintenance support.
• Participate in Total Preventative Maintenance program.

Skills

CNC operation

Machine tools

Glass machining

Troubleshooting

Metrology

Geometric tolerancing

Blueprint reading

Procedures writing

Time management

Attention to detail

Leadership

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Associate Degree in Engineering (plus)

Job description

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, which goes back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone more than a century ago. We have a proven track record of being first in the industry with application specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, fiber gratings and more. Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and supplying the best optical fibers, fiber cable and components and devices for our customers, with exceptional service that creates value for our shareholders, customers and employees. To do so, we must continue shaping the future of communications by applying the best minds to the challenges our customers will continually face.

We’re looking for a Manufacturing Technician to join our division located in Avon, CT, and help support our continued business growth. The selected candidate will work on our 2nd shift and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of manufacturing equipment supporting our Glassworks department.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Set up and operate the equipment to drill and machine fiber optic preforms to print.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks on the equipment (cleaning, emptying and replenishing coolant tanks and filters)
• Perform tooling changeovers between the different products
• Inspect the quality of the work output against drawings and/or specification
• Maintain database of process and inspection results and periodically review process stability
• Maintain an appropriate tooling inventory
• Capable of running multiple machines concurrently
• Maintain a safe work area
• 6S and audit documentation
• Support production rod draw needs
• Complete material transactions in JDE for work completed and report scrap
• Identify machine related issues that require Engineering or Maintenance support
• Participate Total Preventative Maintenance program

Key Qualifications Include

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Associate Degree in Engineering discipline a plus
• CNC operation experience, 2 years minimum
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with machine tools and gauges
• Experience with machining of glass materials desired
• Troubleshooting equipment and process
• Knowledge of Metrology
• Knowledge of Geometric Tolerancing
• Ability to work with tolerancing +/-.0001”
• Ability to read blueprints
• Must be able to write procedures and read and understand complex manufacturing drawings/process layouts.
• Demonstrate positive attitude, excellent organizational skills, leadership ability, and attention to detail.
• Must be effective in time management and efficiently pass jobs through the work-flow.

Working At LIGHTERA Means Having The Opportunity To Realize Ideas, Experience Innovation And Discover New Solutions For The Future. In Addition To Our Dynamic Work Environment, We Offer The Following For Our Employees

• Competitive salaries, with an 8% premium on 2nd shift, and 12% premium on 3rd
• Generous benefits programs, including health, dental, vision and well-being.
• Company-sponsored 401(k) plan with a generous match and no vesting period.
• Tuition assistance, on-the-job training and opportunities for growth and advancement. We promote from within.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program and paid holidays.
• Casual work environment, PPE, safety eyeglass and shoe allowance.
• Consistent shifts and schedules.
• Clean, climate-controlled, modern facility with state of the art equipment.

Employees are expected to serve as role models for safe work practices and behaviors. This includes following established health and safety policies and procedures, maintaining a clean, organized work area, wearing, and properly storing all personal protective equipment (PPE), and actively engaging as a safety conscious worker with personal safety and wellness as a priority.

About Lightera

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications.

Lightera is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.