Job Requirements
Carlsbad, CA
Clearance Unspecified Polygraph not specified
Senior Level Career (10+ yrs experience)
$60,000 - $70,000
Job Description
Engineering Technician – Optical/Electro-Optical
Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Location: Carlsbad, California, USA, 92008
Contract: 12+ Months Contract-to-Hire
Security Clearance: None Required
Job Summary
The Engineering Technician supports the design, development, testing, and production of optical systems and components. This role works closely with optical engineers and cross-functional teams to assemble, align, inspect, troubleshoot, and test precision optical and electro-optical hardware. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on technical skills, attention to detail, and experience working in laboratory or manufacturing environments involving optics.
Key Responsibilities
Assist optical engineers in the setup, assembly, alignment, and testing of optical systems and components.
Perform precision measurements and inspections of lenses, mirrors, optical mounts, and related hardware.
Support prototype builds, system integration, and troubleshooting activities for optical assemblies.
Conduct laboratory testing and collect, document, and report performance data.
Operate and maintain optical test equipment such as interferometers, collimators, microscopes, alignment lasers, and metrology tools.
Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and work instructions to ensure accurate assembly and test execution.
Identify and help resolve technical issues related to optical alignment, contamination control, and component performance.
Maintain clean and organized workspaces, including compliance with cleanroom or contamination-sensitive procedures when required.
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to support product development and production goals.
Document test procedures, assembly results, and process improvements.
Electrical and electronics skills is a plus.
Required Qualifications
Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience in optics, photonics, engineering technology, physics, or a related field.
Experience working with optical, electro-optical, or precision mechanical systems.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and written procedures.
Familiarity with optical alignment techniques and laboratory test equipment.
Strong mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity for handling delicate optical components.
Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
Basic computer skills for data entry, analysis, and reporting.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a cleanroom, laboratory, or precision manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with laser systems, imaging systems, fiber optics, or infrared/visible optical assemblies.
Knowledge of contamination control practices and optical handling procedures.
Experience supporting environmental or functional testing of optical hardware.
Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
Key Skills
Optical alignment and assembly
Precision measurement and inspection
Troubleshooting and test support
Technical documentation
Quality awareness
Team collaboration
Hands-on laboratory and production support
Additional Details
Minimum Education Required: AA/AS - Associates Degree
Security Clearance Level Required: None
Must-Haves – Hard Skills
Experience working with optical, electro-optical, or precision mechanical systems
Optical alignment and assembly
Able to work from blueprints, read and interpret technical drawings, schematics and procedures
Familiarity with optical alignment techniques and laboratory test equipment
Strong mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity for handling delicate optical components
Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation
Precision measurement and inspection
Basic computer skills for data entry, analysis, and reporting
Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience in optics, photonics, engineering technology, physics, or a related field
To apply, please submit your updated resume highlighting your optical, electro-optical, precision assembly, alignment, testing, and troubleshooting experience.
Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Location: Carlsbad, California, USA, 92008
Contract: 12+ Months Contract-to-Hire
Security Clearance: None Required
Job Summary
The Engineering Technician supports the design, development, testing, and production of optical systems and components. This role works closely with optical engineers and cross-functional teams to assemble, align, inspect, troubleshoot, and test precision optical and electro-optical hardware. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on technical skills, attention to detail, and experience working in laboratory or manufacturing environments involving optics.
Key Responsibilities
Assist optical engineers in the setup, assembly, alignment, and testing of optical systems and components.
Perform precision measurements and inspections of lenses, mirrors, optical mounts, and related hardware.
Support prototype builds, system integration, and troubleshooting activities for optical assemblies.
Conduct laboratory testing and collect, document, and report performance data.
Operate and maintain optical test equipment such as interferometers, collimators, microscopes, alignment lasers, and metrology tools.
Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and work instructions to ensure accurate assembly and test execution.
Identify and help resolve technical issues related to optical alignment, contamination control, and component performance.
Maintain clean and organized workspaces, including compliance with cleanroom or contamination-sensitive procedures when required.
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to support product development and production goals.
Document test procedures, assembly results, and process improvements.
Electrical and electronics skills is a plus.
Required Qualifications
Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience in optics, photonics, engineering technology, physics, or a related field.
Experience working with optical, electro-optical, or precision mechanical systems.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and written procedures.
Familiarity with optical alignment techniques and laboratory test equipment.
Strong mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity for handling delicate optical components.
Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
Basic computer skills for data entry, analysis, and reporting.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a cleanroom, laboratory, or precision manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with laser systems, imaging systems, fiber optics, or infrared/visible optical assemblies.
Knowledge of contamination control practices and optical handling procedures.
Experience supporting environmental or functional testing of optical hardware.
Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
Key Skills
Optical alignment and assembly
Precision measurement and inspection
Troubleshooting and test support
Technical documentation
Quality awareness
Team collaboration
Hands-on laboratory and production support
Additional Details
Minimum Education Required: AA/AS - Associates Degree
Security Clearance Level Required: None
Must-Haves – Hard Skills
Experience working with optical, electro-optical, or precision mechanical systems
Optical alignment and assembly
Able to work from blueprints, read and interpret technical drawings, schematics and procedures
Familiarity with optical alignment techniques and laboratory test equipment
Strong mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity for handling delicate optical components
Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation
Precision measurement and inspection
Basic computer skills for data entry, analysis, and reporting
Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience in optics, photonics, engineering technology, physics, or a related field
To apply, please submit your updated resume highlighting your optical, electro-optical, precision assembly, alignment, testing, and troubleshooting experience.
group id: indony