Sr. Optics Technician

AMETEK Inc.; Denville, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Zygo Corporation in Denville, NJ, part of AMETEK, is seeking a Sr. Optics Technician to set up and run CNC optical manufacturing equipment, fabricate high-precision components, and interpret metrology. Diamond turning is preferred.

The role requires strong adherence to safety and quality standards. As part of AMETEK, you will collaborate across Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to resolve issues and improve processes while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 7+ years in precision optical manufacturing or CNC optical machining.
• Experience setting up and troubleshooting CNC optical equipment.
• Ability to interpret optical/mechanical drawings and metrology data.
• Experience with interferometers, profilometers, autocollimators, or similar metrology tools.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC optical manufacturing equipment and precision turning equipment.
• Fabricate high-precision optical components and align to strict tolerances.
• Interpret drawings, travelers, and metrology data to guide process adjustments.
• Mentor technicians as alignment turning capability grows.

Skills

Precision optics

CNC machining

Optical metrology

Interferometers

Measurement interpretation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CNC optical equipment

Generators

Polishers

Alignment turning

Job description

At Zygo, your skills and insights will be integral to our core values of curiosity, collaboration, and persistence. For over 50 years, Zygo Corporation in Middlefield, CT, has been a global leader in designing and manufacturing advanced optical metrology systems, ultra-precise optical components, and complex electro-optical systems and assemblies. Special Optics, part of ZYGO and AMETEK, designs and manufactures high-performance optical assemblies, precision optics, and custom lens systems for demanding applications. Join our team, where your expertise will drive innovative solutions, address complex technical challenges, and uphold the highest standards of precision and safety

As a Sr. Optics Technician, in Denville, NJ, you will be responsible for the set up and operation of CNC optical manufacturing equipment, fabrication of high-precision optical components, interpretation of optical and mechanical metrology, and help to establish and sustain alignment turning capability. Diamond turning experience is preferred, not required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set up and perform optical fabrication processes, including generating, grinding, polishing, beveling, centering, blocking, cleaning, and finishing.
• Manufacture spherical and plano components to demanding dimensional, surface, centration, alignment, and runout requirements.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot CNC optical manufacturing and precision turning equipment; adjust processes based on metrology results.
• Establish mechanical and optical datums, align components to the optical axis, and machine critical features relative to that axis.
• Interpret drawings, specifications, travelers, work instructions, and data from interferometers, indicators, micrometers, profilometers, optical comparators, and related equipment.
• Perform routine equipment and tooling maintenance and maintain safe, organized work practices.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Production Control to resolve technical, quality, and scheduling issues.
• Develop tooling, fixtures, setups, procedures, and work instructions; identify improvements to safety, quality, delivery, yield, cycle time, and process reliability.
• Train and mentor opticians and technicians as alignment turning capability develops.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent and 7+ years of precision optical manufacturing, optical CNC machining, or a combination of both.
• Hands-on experience setting up, operating, and troubleshooting CNC optical equipment, such as generators, polishers, centering machines, alignment turning, or single-point diamond turning equipment.
• Experience with optical centering/alignment or machining features relative to an established optical axis.
• Ability to interpret optical and mechanical drawings, specifications, travelers, and process instructions and consistently hold tight tolerances.
• Experience with interferometers, profilometers, autocollimators, or other optical alignment and metrology equipment.
• Ability to perform detailed work requiring close visual attention and fine motor control; stand, walk, bend, reach, wear required PPE, and lift or move up to 50 pounds with appropriate assistance.
• Safety and Quality: follow approved processes, protect precision components and maintain rigorous workmanship.
• Problem Solving: use drawings, process knowledge, and metrology data to identify causes and make sound adjustments.
• Ownership and Accountability: take responsibility for equipment, processes, commitments, and timely and accurate completion of work.
• Collaboration: communicates clearly and works effectively across functions.
• Change and Adaptability embraces evolving methods, shares knowledge with others, pivots when necessary.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diamond turning or ultra-precision machining experience.
• Experience machining optics mounted in mechanical cells or assemblies; developing tooling, vacuum chucks, work holding, or custom fixtures.
• Experience manufacturing spherical, aspherical, infrared, or other high-precision optics and developing procedures or training others.

Bring your passion and commitment to our team, where we are curious, collaborative, persistent, and confident, where safety and quality guide every step of our journey. Grow with us as we solve complex challenges, inspire confidence, and drive excellence in manufacturing. Are you ready to expand the boundaries of possibility, simplify the complex, and embody the values that define our success? We welcome your unique perspective and invite you to join us!

We offer competitive compensation, benefits, retirement (401k) and paid time off programs. Compensation and position level will be set based on experience.

Due to the nature of Zygo programs and products, applicants must have the legal right to work in the US and additionally must be legally authorized to access export-controlled information and source code.

Compensation

Employee Type: Hourly

Currency: USD

Salary Minimum: 65,000

Salary Maximum: 100,000

Incentive: No

Disclaimer:Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.

AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.5billion.

AMETEK is committed to making a safer, sustainable, and more productive world a reality. We use differentiated technology solutions to solve our customers’ most complex challenges. We employ 22,000colleagues, in 35countries, that are grounded by our core values: Ethics and Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. AMETEK isacomponent of the S&P 500. Visit https://www.ametek.com/careers for more information.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.