Sr. Diamond Turning Engineering Technician

Jaime Howley; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Talent Partners, LLC is seeking a Senior Diamond Turning Engineering Technician in Rochester, NY, onsite. The role focuses on ultra-precision machining, tooling engineering, motion control optimization, and process innovation to push tolerances and surface finishes beyond conventional limits.

Work spans tool design, machine control, and process governance in a high-performance SPDT environment. Travel is up to 10-15% as needed; report to Engineering Manager.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of diamond turning experience in ultra-precision manufacturing.
• Advanced proficiency in Diffsys and Mastercam.
• Proven expertise in diamond tool design and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead setup, programming, and operation of SPDT machine tools for ultra-precision optical components.
• Develop and optimize machining processes to meet extreme form and surface finish requirements.
• Generate and refine advanced CNC toolpaths using Mastercam and related platforms.
• Design and optimize custom diamond cutting tools (geometry, edge prep, application tuning).
• Engineer advanced fixturing/workholding systems to ensure alignment and repeatability.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to improve tool performance and lifecycle.
• Analyze machine dynamics including vibration, spindle behavior, and thermal effects.
• Perform PID tuning and motion control optimization.
• Troubleshoot process deviations using structured root cause analysis.
• Partner with Quality, Metrology, and Production teams to ensure inspection alignment.
• Drive improvements in cycle time, yield, and process capability.
• Provide technical mentorship to diamond turning technicians across shifts.
• Ensure preventative maintenance and machine condition monitoring.
• Maintain rigorous process documentation and parameter control.
• Uphold precision manufacturing safety and cleanliness standards.

Skills

Diamond turning

Motion control

PID tuning

Process optimization

Surface finish quality

Tools

Diffsys

Mastercam

Job description

Senior Diamond Turning Engineering Technician

Industry: Ultra-Precision Manufacturing | Advanced Optical Systems

Location: Rochester, NY (Onsite)

Travel: 10-15% (As needed)

Reports to: Engineering Manager

Compensation: $90K – $110K annual compensation

++About the Opportunity++

A highly respected, growth-oriented advanced manufacturing organization is seeking a Senior Diamond Turning Engineering Technician to contribute to and elevate its Single Point Diamond Turning (SPDT) operations. This is not a standard CNC role.

This position sits at the intersection of ultra-precision machining, tooling engineering, motion control optimization, and process innovation, supporting the production of optically functional surfaces manufactured at the limits of tolerancing.

This is a role for someone who thrives on solving complex manufacturing challenges and pushing the limits of what’s possible in precision machining. The organization serves demanding, high-technology markets where precision is non-negotiable and performance expectations are extreme. This is a highly visible, high-impact role within a technically sophisticated environment.

++Why This Role is Unique++

• Work on optically critical components requiring extreme form and finish precision.
• Influence machining strategy, tooling design, and machine control at a systems level.
• Drive measurable improvements in yield, throughput, and process capability.
• Operate in a collaborative, engineering-driven culture.
• Mentor and shape the next generation of ultra-precision technicians.
• Be the technical authority in a high-performance SPDT environment.

++Key Responsibilities++

Ultra-Precision Machining & Process Development

• Lead setup, programming, and operation of SPDT machine tools for ultra-precision optical components.
• Develop and optimize machining processes to meet extreme form and surface finish requirements.
• Generate and refine advanced CNC toolpaths using Mastercam and related platforms.

Diamond Tool & Fixturing Engineering

• Design and optimize custom diamond cutting tools (geometry, edge prep, application tuning).
• Engineer advanced fixturing/workholding systems to ensure alignment and repeatability.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to improve tool performance and lifecycle.

Machine Performance & Controls Optimization

• Analyze machine dynamics including vibration, spindle behavior, and thermal effects.
• Perform PID tuning and motion control optimization.
• Troubleshoot process deviations using structured root cause analysis.

Technical Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Quality, Metrology, and Production teams to ensure inspection alignment.
• Drive improvements in cycle time, yield, and process capability.
• Provide technical mentorship to diamond turning technicians across shifts.

Maintenance & Process Governance

• Ensure preventative maintenance and machine condition monitoring.
• Maintain rigorous process documentation and parameter control.
• Uphold precision manufacturing safety and cleanliness standards.

++Required Qualifications++

• 5+ years of diamond turning experience in ultra-precision manufacturing.
• Advanced proficiency in Diffsys and Mastercam.
• Proven expertise in diamond tool design and optimization.
• Experience designing advanced fixturing for tight-tolerance components.
• Strong knowledge of motion control systems and PID tuning.
• Demonstrated ability to improve process capability and surface quality.

++Preferred Qualifications++

• Background in optical component manufacturing.
• CNC machining and advanced metrology experience.
• Experience with closed-loop compensation strategies or automation integration.

Precision Talent Partners, LLC values diversity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to contribute. This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions and does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Employment is at-will, and this job description does not constitute a contract of employment.