Senior Optics Manufacturing Technician

Aperture Optical Sciences Inc.; Meriden (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Aperture Optical Sciences Inc. in Meriden, CT seeks an experienced Optics Manufacturing Technician to support high-precision reflective optics for advanced assemblies, satellite telescopes, and semiconductor equipment.

You will work in our Shaping and Grinding, Asphere, and Flat Optics cells on shaping, polishing, metrology, and QA. The role requires 15+ years in optics manufacturing, strong hands-on skills, and the ability to run the plano department with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in optics manufacturing.
• Able to run the plano department without supervision.
• Self-motivated and dependable with master skillsets.
• Computer use for communications, data reporting, progress reports, workflow, and machine operation.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing operations of glass and ceramic materials: shaping, edging, drilling, milling, grinding, polishing, testing, assembly, cleaning, packaging.
• Operate and program single-side lapping and polishing machines and spindle machines.
• Lead manufacturing methods and procedures development for polishing operations.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing processes and recommend materials/tools.
• Create manufacturing plans for new projects with step-by-step operations.
• Collaborate with engineers and managers on drawings and manufacturing.
• Provide feedback on tooling and processes to meet optical requirements.
• Use laser interferometers to measure wavefront errors and surface quality.
• Measure dimensions with CMMs and precision instruments; inspect components.
• Maintain cleanroom environments and document quality procedures.
• Coordinate capacity planning and staffing to meet targets; supervise personnel.

Education

Technical degree preferred

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Work Management Software

Job description

Optics Manufacturing Technicians are trained with special skills to use both “hands‑on” craft‑based techniques and operate advanced equipment and laser‑based measurement instruments to make state of the art optical components. Optics manufacturing technicians actively participate with our manufacturing team to produce reflective optics for advanced optical assemblies, satellite telescopes, high‑energy lasers, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Optics Manufacturing technicians work in any of our manufacturing cells including “Shaping and Grinding”, Asphere Manufacturing, and Flat Optics Manufacturing.

Primary Duties:

• Manufacturing operations of glass and ceramic materials including some or all the following: shaping, edging, drilling, milling, grinding, polishing, interferometric testing, mechanical / dimensional testing, assembly, cleaning, and packaging.
• Advanced operations may include computer controlled or robotic equipment for fabricating precise optical surfaces and features.
• Program and operate Single-side Lapping and Polishing machines, as well as Spindle Machines.

Manufacturing & Planning:

• Lead and execute manufacturing methods and procedures development of polishing operations
• Provide critical troubleshooting support by diagnosing and repairing critical performance failures throughout manufacturing processes.
• Recommend materials and tools as needed to perform required operations
• Create manufacturing plans for new projects (Step by step operations such as grinding, polishing, metrology, and QA)
• Collaborate with optical engineers and department managers to review drawings and manufacturing of upcoming project.
• Provide tooling and processes feedback for design of appropriate tools (floaters, carriers, metrology fixtures) to achieve optical requirements of parts.
• Utilize laser interferometers to measure wavefront errors, surface roughness, and any additional required optical specifications.
• Measure physical dimensions, radius of curvature, and concentricity using spherometers, autocollimators, and coordinate measuring machines (CMM).
• Inspect and clean optical components. This may include defect characterization and surface roughness analysis.

Quality:

• Implement Quality Top-Level Procedures on a departmental level.
• Create plans for effective introduction and adaptation of new quality procedures.
• Ensure high-tech cleanroom production environments and tooling setups remain free of outside contaminants.
• Maintain data record of processes.
• Execute regular department-wide quality audits and report on area of improvements.

Leadership:

• Coordinate planning of department manufacturing capacity and staffing to meet projected sales targets.
• Supervise laboratory personnel

Requirements:

• 15+ years of experience in optics manufacturing environment.
• Able to effectively run the plano department without supervision.
• Self‑motivated, dependable individuals with master skillsets and career track.
• A technical degree in a scientific or engineering field is not required but preferred to enable advancement.
• Proficient use of computers for communications, data reporting, progress reports, workflow and capacity management, and machine/instrument operation. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Work Management Software)
• Fundamental understanding of test instruments technology.
• Understanding of high school algebra, geometry, trigonometry, general scientific nomenclature, the scientific process, unit conversions, and basic concepts in elementary physics and chemistry
• Candidates must be able to commute to our Meriden Connecticut facility.

Term & Hours:

• Full‑time permanent position consisting of a minimum 40‑hour work week on‑site. Hours may include first or second shift and may require weekends.