Manufacturing Technician (Weekend Shift)

Socket.dev; Sturbridge (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekend shift premium

Health & welfare benefits

401(k) with match

Tuition assistance

PTO & holidays

PPE allowance

Consistent shifts

Modern facility

Job summary

Lightera, a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, is seeking a Manufacturing Technician for the weekend shift at our Sturbridge, MA facility, part of the Avon, CT division. The role involves setup and operation of multiple lathes and equipment used in MCVD production of optical fiber products.

Responsibilities include performing manual and mechanical operations, maintaining production records, and supporting safety and improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training preferred.
• Five+ years of similar manufacturing experience required.
• Experience with chemical/gas desired.
• Strong math skills for fractions, decimals, metrics and conversions.
• Able to read work instructions and drawings to meet specs.
• Willing to train in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual, mechanical operations and glass handling for MCVD production.
• Operate production-tracking software and maintain records.
• Conduct preform index profile tests on products.
• Participate in improvement initiatives to meet dept goals.
• Read GDS schematics and adjust settings as needed.
• Handle corrosive chemicals safely for MCVD manufacturing.

Skills

Manual operations

Mechanical aptitude

Reading GDS schematics

Math skills

Troubleshooting

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma

Technical training preferred

Tools

Production-tracking software

Glass working equipment

GDS schematics

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 hands‑on Manufacturing Technician who enjoys cutting‑edge technology, troubleshooting, and being part of a tight‑knit team. Our Glassworks team is looking for help on our weekend shift, supporting our business growth. This is a 32-hour/week position, with two‑12‑hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday (12:00pm - 12:00am), and an 8‑hour shift during the week (weekday can be flexible). This position is located in our Sturbridge, MA facility, but is part of our Avon, CT division.

Lightera provides the necessary training to allow for growth in the role, and invests in your future. We pride ourselves on our constant drive towards safety, quality, continuous improvement and commitment to our customers’ needs.

Our technicians are responsible for manual, mechanical operations to set‑up and operate multiple computerized lathes and equipment used in production and for the development of specialty optical fiber products. Although working with supervision and guidance, our technicians work independently following our pre‑established work instructions and guidelines. The candidate will also participate in improvement initiatives to meet department goals and/or business objectives. Be a critical part of the team making precision material used in aerospace, defense, and medical industries.

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

• Preform manual, mechanical operations and glass handling techniques to support MCVD production used for manufacturing high quality, low‑cost optical fiber performs.
• Operate production‑tracking software and maintain production records of preform manufacturing
• Perform preform index profile tests to inspect perform‑manufactured products.
• Support training activities for employees in the SFPG Department to adequately perform and improve their job function in MCVD.
• Etch performs in acid to achieve desired diameter.
• Check entire lathe and GDS and check for any leaks and broken parts.
• Assist in establishing documentation for manufacturing procedures, processes and equipment.
• Modify recipe phases to have correct heat, solenoid and mode code settings.
• Handle and transport corrosive chemical necessary for MCVD manufacturing.
• Support and perform other duties as required by management
• Ability to read GDS schematics

Key qualifications:

• Candidates for consideration must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Additional education and/or technical training is preferred.
• Five or more years of similar manufacturing experience required.
• Experience with use of chemical/gas desired.
• Solid math skills (strong understanding of fractions, decimals, metrics, formulas, and the ability to do simple conversions and calculations using a calculator).
• Willing and able to train and adapt in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to read and convey work instructions and read drawings, to ensure that product meets customer specifications.
• Mechanical/technical aptitude or interest.
• Experience with glass working, and use of glass working equipment highly preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and process issues desired.

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 20% premium on our weekend shift.
• 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.
• 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.

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan) for this position.

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.