Optical Fabrication Technician

KBR, Inc; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 62,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan

medical

dental

vision

life insurance

AD&D

flexible spending account

disability

paid time off

flexible work schedule

Job summary

Optical Fabrication Technician at KBR, Inc. supports fabrication of precision optical components for lasers and advanced optics for NASA missions at GSFC in Greenbelt, MD.

The role requires experience in optical fabrication, CNC machining, and metrology to produce high-quality optics for spacecraft and scientific instruments. Responsibilities include setting up and programming CNC equipment, interpreting drawings, performing inspections, and collaborating with engineers to optimize processes.

Qualifications

• Several years of hands-on experience in optical fabrication.
• Experience operating and programming CNC equipment, preferably for optical fabrication.
• Experience with precision optical metrology and inspection.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and optical specifications.

Responsibilities

• Perform optical fabrication processes including grinding, lapping, polishing, edging, beveling, and finishing.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot CNC optical fabrication equipment.
• Develop or modify CNC programs and optimize fabrication processes.
• Interpret optical drawings, prescriptions, and fabrication specifications.
• Perform precision measurements and inspection of optical components.
• Work closely with engineers and other technicians to develop fabrication approaches for new and complex optics.
• Maintain fabrication equipment, process documentation, and quality records.

Skills

Optical fabrication

CNC programming

Precision metrology

Engineering drawings

Documentation & reporting

ISO quality standards

Independent work

Tools

CNC equipment

Optical metrology equipment

Job description

Optical Fabrication Technician

The Optical Fabrication Technician supports the fabrication of precision optical components for lasers and other advanced optical systems at GSFC. This hands‑on role requires experience in optical fabrication and CNC machining to produce high‑quality optical components for spacecraft and scientific missions.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform optical fabrication processes including grinding, lapping, polishing, edging, beveling, and finishing.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot CNC optical fabrication equipment.
• Develop or modify CNC programs and optimize fabrication processes.
• Interpret optical drawings, prescriptions, and fabrication specifications.
• Perform precision measurements and inspection of optical components.
• Work closely with engineers and other technicians to develop fabrication approaches for new and complex optics.
• Maintain fabrication equipment, process documentation, and quality records.

Required Skills & Experience

• Several years of hands‑on experience in optical fabrication.
• Experience operating and programming CNC equipment, preferably for optical fabrication.
• Experience with precision optical metrology and inspection.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and optical specifications.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting skills, and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of laboratory practices, equipment calibration, and quality standards (e.g., ISO).
• Strong documentation, reporting, and basic statistical analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in technical environments.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with laser, aerospace, or scientific optics is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of the NASA flight hardware development process and methodology.

Basic Compensation

Jobs on this contract range from $62,400.00- $93,600.00 . Pay range is specific to the Greenbelt, Maryland area. The offered rate will be based on the position, contract affordability, the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

KBR Benefits

• 401K plan with company match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• AD&D
• flexible spending account
• disability
• paid time off
• flexible work schedule

We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Company Culture & Employer Brand

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR. At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

KBR – Delivering Solutions, Changing the World.

KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values.

ONE KBR Values

• We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.
• We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders.
• We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business.
• We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed.
• We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company.

We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals.

Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries.

At KBR, We Deliver.