In this career enhancing technical opportunity, you will have responsibility and options to gain expertise in the optics and aerospace field with room to develop leadership and analysis skills as your experience builds.

We are seeking a detail oriented Optical Technician, who is a motivated self-starter with laboratory and critical optic handling experience, as well as some experience with optical system assembly. You will work with optical components that will be integrated into complex airborne or space-based sensors for NASA and DoD markets.

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You’ll Do:

• Perform solo tasks running them to completion in a timely manner.
• Work well in a collaborative environment with a team of optics personnel, engineers and technicians to test, and characterize components and assist in building novel state-of-the art space based and airborne optical systems.
• Balance fast paced daily work often with multiple simultaneous measurements and critical tasks.
• Make optical measurements, assess, and analyze data using basic math skills, standard, and custom analysis software.
• Produce data packages and reports using Microsoft Office tools as well as custom systems.
• Understand and troubleshoot basic optical setups and laboratory equipment.
• Conceptualize, build and/or align complex optical measurement setups when required.
• Operate commercial and custom optical instrumentation.
• Integrate optical components into higher level assemblies sensor systems and spacecraft.
• Inquisitive self-starter, comfortable asking questions to ensure thorough understanding of assigned work prior to commencement of activities.

• Conduct inspection and cleaning of optical components, including:
  • Optical inspection per company processes and commercial standards
  • Scratch-Dig measurements
  • Abrasion / adhesion testing
  • Basic dimensional measurements
  • Vendor data package review
  • Perform cleaning of optical components per company processes and commercial standards
• Measure and test optical components and assemblies using a variety of equipment, including:
  • Interferometers
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Scatterometers
  • Measuring microscopes
  • Profilometers
• Process flight optics, including:
  • Bonding optics into support structures using a variety of adhesive materials
  • Supporting integration of optical components and subassemblies into payloads
  • Integration of lenses into higher level assemblies using commercial lens alignment equipment
  • Integrate other optical components into higher level assemblies.
  • Performing optical alignment of complex optical sensors.

• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment, laboratory, cleanroom, or production floor.

• High School diploma or equivalent plus 2 years or more related experience.
• Each higher-level related degree, i.e., Bachelor’s or Master’s, may substitute for two years of related experience. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Working knowledge of optical technology, hands-on experience in optical component integration and characterization, and a mechanical aptitude for working with delicate opto-mechanical hardware.
• Working knowledge and use of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to run technical software programs.
• Ability to read and interpret optical component and subassembly drawings and specifications.
• Solid hand-eye coordination opto-mechanical skills, and good lab protocols needed for delicate optical assembly and bonding work.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, task tracking, practice following detailed processes and procedures with consistency and rigor.
• Excellent collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to work with many different disciplines.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.

• Optical lab, optical assembly, optical test setup, and optical alignment experience; space-based optical system experience is preferred.
• Experience operating optical measurement equipment, including interferometers and spectrophotometers, profilometers, scatterometers, lens alignment equipment, theodolites, and measuring microscopes is desirable, and aptitude to learn this equipment.