Photonics Engineering Technician Level 3 (opens in a new tab)

Monarch Quantum, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 61,992; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with 4% match

PTO 20 days

13 paid company holidays

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum, Inc. is seeking a Photonics Engineering Technician 3 to join a high-tech photonics lab. You will support development of optical modules for photonic engines, assembling, aligning, testing, and prototyping systems with engineers.

The role emphasizes hands-on collaboration to ensure products meet internal specs, quality standards, and performance requirements, in a lab and cleanroom environment.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in relevant technical field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in startup, R&D, prototype manufacturing, or technology-focused environment.
• Ability to interpret technical requirements, specifications, and documentation.
• Experience in laboratory, prototype, or low-volume manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Align, collimate, and fiber couple optical components.
• Assemble optical and opto-mechanical subassemblies as directed.
• Inspect and monitor material and build quality during assembly.
• Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot issues.
• Support problem analysis and contribute to process improvements.
• Work in lab and cleanroom environments to meet cleanliness standards.
• Train and mentor junior technicians as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Optics alignment

Fiber coupling

Subassembly assembly

Troubleshooting

Lab equipment expertise

Soldering (ESD)

Measurement interpretation

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Education

Associate degree in relevant technical field

Tools

Calipers

Multimeters

Microscopes

Tape measures

Hot plates

Bake ovens

Lathes

Manual mills

Band saws

Taps

Job description

As a Photonics Engineering Technician 3, you will work in a high-tech photonics laboratory environment, supporting development of complex optical modules for Monarch Quantum’s photonic “engines”. You will collaborate closely with engineers to assemble, align, test, and prototype optical systems using both manual and automated methods.

This is a hands-on, highly collaborative role focused on ensuring products meet internal specifications, quality standards, and performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Align, collimate, and fiber couple a variety of optical components.
• Assemble compound optical and opto-mechanical subassemblies according to engineering direction.
• Inspect and monitor material and build quality throughout the assembly process.
• Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot technical and build-related issues.
• Support problem analysis and contribute to process improvements.
• Work in both laboratory and cleanroom environments to ensure compliance with cleanliness standards.
• Train and mentor junior technicians as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience

• Associates degree in relevant technical field
• 10+ years of relevant experience, preferably in startup, R&D, prototype manufacturing, or technology-focused environment.
• Strong ability to interpret technical requirements, specifications, and documentation.
• Experience working in laboratory, prototype, or low-volume manufacturing environments.

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrated experience aligning, collimating, and fiber-coupling optical components.
• Experience assembling compound optical and opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Proficiency with common measurement and inspection tools (calipers, multimeters, microscopes, tape measures, hot plates, bake ovens).
• Experience soldering small, ESD-sensitive electronic components.
• Experience cleaning free-space and fiber-optic components.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Clear and effective communication skills when working with engineering teams.

Additional Skills

• Experience with high-complexity assemblies (>200 unique mechanical and electronic parts)
• Willingness and ability to learn, evaluate, and help validate new processes and equipment
• Experience training technicians across processes at varying levels of maturity
• Ability to serve as a subject-matter expert for common lab equipment (e.g., bake ovens, plasma ovens)
• Experience with machining tools such as lathes, manual mills, band saws, taps, etc.

The anticipated hourly pay for this role ranges from $30.00 to $45.00.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.