Senior Technician Fiber Optic Process (opens in a new tab)

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with 4% matching

PTO 20 days

Holidays 13

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Senior Engineering Technician focused on optical fiber processes in San Diego. You will support fiber-centric processing, assembly, and DOE efforts to optimize yield and reliability, bridging R&D and manufacturing in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires hands-on experience with fiber preparation, splicing, inspection, and integration into devices, with a strong emphasis on contamination control and documentation. Competitive benefits available.

Qualifications

• Hands-on fiber processes in production or R&D environment.
• Cleanroom/lab experience with fiber handling and processing.
• Strong documentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform precision fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation for SM/PM/specialty fibers.
• Execute fusion splicing with PM fiber alignment and low-loss goals.
• Cap and handle fiber ends for high-power applications.
• Fiber inspection of end-faces and splice quality.
• Support fiber-to-device coupling and integration into packages.
• Develop and run DOE to improve optical performance and yield.
• Follow processes, work instructions, and travelers; troubleshoot issues.
• Assist transition from development to pilot/early production.

Skills

Fiber cleaving

Splicing

Fiber alignment

Fiber inspection

Contamination control

Optical coupling

Lab/cleanroom work

Documentation

Active alignment

High-power fiber handling

Education

Associate's degree or High School Diploma and Equivalent Experience in a pertinent environment

Tools

OSA

Power meters

Job description

Join our fast-paced and collaborative team as a SeniorEngineering Technicianwith a Focus on Optical Fiber Processes. In this hands-on role, you willsupport the development, optimization, and scaling of critical fiber-handlingand integration processes that directlyimpactproduct performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

You will work closely withthe optical fiber process development engineers.This role is ideal for someone with strong practical experience in fiber preparation and integration who enjoys working at the intersection of R&D and manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

Support thedevelopment and execution of fiber-centric processes, including:

• Precision fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation (SM, PM, specialty fibers)

• Fusion splicing (including low-loss and polarization-maintaining alignment)

• Fiberend cappingand handling for high-poseror sensitive applications

• Fiber cleaning, preparation, and contamination control practices

• Inspection and analysis of fiber end-faces and splice quality

Support photonic assembly and integration:

• Fiber-to-device coupling and alignment (active and passive)

• Integration of fibers into packages (TO, butterfly, micro-optic assemblies)

• Optics attach (lenses, isolators, fiber arrays)

Process development & improvement:

• Execute DOE to improve optical performance, yield, and repeatability

• Followprocess flows, work instructions, and travelers

• Troubleshoot issues related to optical loss, fiber damage, and process variability

• Support transition of processes from development into pilot and early-stage production

• Support tooling, fixturing, and automation strategies for fiber handling

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• Associate's degreeor High School Diploma and Equivalent Experiencein a pertinentenvironment

• 3+ years withdemonstratedhands-onexpertisewith fiber processes in a production or R&D environment

• Hands‑on experience with fiber handling and processing in a lab or manufacturing environment

Core Skills:

• Fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation techniques across a range of fiber types

• Fusion splicing (including PM fiber alignment and loss optimization)

• Fiberend cappingand high-power handling considerations

• Fiber inspection methods (microscopy, interferometry, or equivalent)

• Strong understanding of contamination control and cleaning methods

• Experience with fiber alignment and optical coupling

• Ability to work effectively in lab and cleanroom environments

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with high-power fiber or laser systems

• Strong documentation and communication skills

• Experience with active alignment systems

• Exposure to reliability testing (thermal cycling, HTOL, damp heat)
• Train junior technicians or operators
• Lead build efforts for critical prototypes or customer deliverables
• Provide feedback into design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Quantifying splice loss, return loss, PER (for PM fibers)

• Use of optical test equipment (OSA, power meters)

Basic data analysis (Excel, JMP)

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

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch's comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• 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 discriminateon the basis ofrace, 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.