Optical Fabrication Engineer

SCHOTT AG; Duryea (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Paid vacation

Job summary

SCHOTT AG in the United States (Duryea area) seeks an Optical Fabrication Engineer to develop and optimize spherical generation and prism machining for precision optics. You will analyze workflows and equipment performance to improve yield and throughput, while maintaining rigorous process documentation and ISO 9001 compliance.

The role requires 5–10 years in optical fabrication, strong metrology skills, and experience with SAP, MS Office, and data analysis tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical/Materials/Mechanical Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5–10 years hands-on optical fabrication experience including spherical generation and prism machining.
• Strong knowledge of glass and ceramic materials, abrasives, and diamond tooling.
• Experience with optical metrology systems (CMMs, profilometers, goniometers) and data interpretation.
• Proficiency with SAP, Microsoft Office, and data analysis software; Six Sigma Green Belt a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and sustain spherical generation, prism machining, and CNC programming for precision optics.
• Analyze workflows and equipment performance to boost yield and throughput.
• Create and maintain process docs, work instructions, and inspection procedures compliant with ISO 9001.
• Operate metrology equipment (CMMs, interferometers, profilometers) to support data-driven decisions.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering to define CTQ requirements and controls.
• Lead root cause investigations, implement corrective actions, and present findings.
• Train technicians and junior engineers in polishing, metrology interpretation, and process discipline.
• Drive continuous improvement using SPC, lean principles, and best practices in optical fabrication.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Metrology data interpretation

Statistical analysis

Continuous improvement

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical/Materials/Mechanical Eng

Advanced degree preferred

Six Sigma Green Belt (or similar)

Tools

CMMs

Profilometers

Goniometers

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Develop, optimize, and sustain spherical generation, prism generation, and CNC programming processes for precision glass and ceramic optics to ensure consistent quality, repeatability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Analyze manufacturing workflows and equipment performance, identifying and implementing process improvements that increase yield, reduce bottlenecks, and improve throughput.
• Create and maintain process documentation, including work instructions, operation sheets, and inspection procedures, while ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and internal quality standards.
• Utilize advanced metrology equipment such as interferometers, autocollimators, profilometers, and CMMs to evaluate optical components and support data-driven process decisions.
• Collaborate closely with production, quality, and engineering teams to define critical-to-quality requirements and establish effective process controls.
• Lead and support root cause investigations, implement corrective actions, and communicate findings through technical reports and presentations.
• Train and mentor technicians and junior engineers on polishing best practices, metrology interpretation, and process discipline.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using statistical process control, lean manufacturing principles, and best practices in optical fabrication.

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5 to 10years of hands-on experience in optical fabrication, including spherical generation, prism machining, and related manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of glass and ceramic materials, abrasives, diamond tooling, fixturing, and optical fabrication methods.
• Experience with optical metrology systems, including CMMs, profilometers, goniometers, or similar equipment, with the ability to interpret data and recommend corrective actions.
• Proven ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams, communicate technical information clearly, and leverage tools such as SAP, Microsoft Office, and data analysis software. Six Sigma Green Belt certification or similar continuous improvement training is a plus.

At SCHOTT, you can expect a unique corporate culture where we emphasize equity, diversity, and inclusion. We know: motivated and committed employees are the precondition for the success of our company.

Discover a special corporate culture where everyone has the opportunity to develop their entire potential.

We offer a wide range of benefits to meet your needs to include medical, dental, vision, 401K, vacation, holidays, tuition reimbursement, short-term/long-term disability, etc.