Senior Laser Technician

Leonardo DRS; San Diego, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The Senior Laser Technician at Leonardo DRS supports assembly, alignment, testing, and troubleshooting of lasers and laser optical systems. You will work from complex drawings, use test equipment, and maintain equipment while collaborating with engineering and production to meet quality, safety, and delivery targets.

The role involves training teammates, interpreting SOPs, and ensuring regulatory compliance across safety standards.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a technical discipline and 5 years equivalent experience.
• Strong decision‑making and leadership skills.
• Experienced handling small delicate components, using ESD practices.
• Soldering and wire bonding experience a plus.
• Must be experienced in the safe handling of chemicals.
• Experienced in the use of Access, Excel, and LabVIEW.
• Experience with MRP a plus.
• Must have good mechanical skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to engineers and scientists on complex components, devices, materials, products, processes and/or equipment.
• Work from complex wiring and assembly drawings, operation sheets, engineering specifications and sketches and running sheets of significant complexity.
• Interpret and follow written documents such as SOPs and safety rules.
• Ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements applicable to the company in accordance with State and Federal regulations and any applicable certification required to maintain the certification.
• Assist in training new team members.
• Interface with other departments to assure efficient flow of information and materials.
• Perform Key Performance Indicators: Quality of finished product (Pass/fail rates), Raw material stock levels, Compliance outcomes.
• Diagnose cause of electrical, optical or mechanical malfunction or failure of operational equipment and perform preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Modify complex electrical prototypes to correct functional deviations.
• Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization.
• Perform alignment, testing, and troubleshooting of solid‑state flashlight‑pumped lasers and laser rangefinder optical systems.
• Must use optical, mechanical, and electrical tools and test equipment for measurement, alignment, and testing.

Skills

Decision making

Leadership

ESD handling

Soldering

Chemicals safety

Electrical/mechanical aptitude

Education

Associate’s degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Access

Excel

LabVIEW

MRP

Job description

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Location: San Diego, CA, US, 92127

Job ID: 115551

DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life sciences; and industrial process control. As a mid-IR technology pioneer, Daylight Solutions has delivered more mid-IR systems to more applications world-wide than any other company.

Job Summary

The Senior Laser Technician supports the assembly, alignment, testing, and troubleshooting of lasers and laser optical systems. This role works from complex engineering drawings and specifications, uses optical and electrical test equipment, and performs equipment maintenance and prototype modifications. The technician also trains team members and collaborates with engineering and production to meet quality, safety, and delivery requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to engineers and scientist on complex components, devices, material, products, processes and/or equipment
• Work from complex wiring and assembly drawings, operation sheets, engineering specifications and sketches and running sheets of significant complexity
• Interpret and follow written documents such as SOPs and safety rules
• Ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements applicable to the company in accordance with State and Federal regulations and any applicable certification required to maintain the certification
• Assist in training new team members
• Interface with other departments to assure efficient flow of information and materials
• Perform Key Performance Indicators:
• Quality of finished product (Pass/fail rates)
• Raw material stock levels
• Compliance outcomes
• Diagnose cause of electrical, optical or mechanical malfunction or failure of operational equipment and performs preventative and corrective maintenance
• Modify complex electrical prototypes to correct functional deviations
• Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
• Perform alignment, testing, and troubleshooting of solid‑state flashlight‑pumped lasers and laser rangefinder optical systems
• Must use optical, mechanical, and electrical tools and test equipment for measurement, alignment, and testing

Qualifications

• Requires an associate’s degree in a technical discipline and 5 years equivalent experience in the field or in a related area
• Must demonstrate strong decision‑making and leadership skills.
• Experienced handling small delicate components, using ESD practices
• Soldering and wire bonding experience a plus.
• Must be experienced in the safe handling of chemicals.
• Experienced in the use of various computer applications, including Access, Excel, and Labview.
• Experience with MRP a plus.
• Must have good mechanical skills

The salary range for this position is $21.44/hour - $43.16/hour. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance‑based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non‑exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state‑mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well‑being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career‑growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid‑tier defense technology company in the U.S.

The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

• Integrity
• Agility
• Excellence
• Customer Focus
• Community & Respect
• Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.