Assembly Technicians II

About the role:

The Optical Assembly Technician 2 performs advanced optical assembly and alignment operations requiring micron- and sub-micron-level accuracy. This role is responsible for actively aligning optical elements to mechanical housings, verifying optical and mechanical performance, and permanently securing optics using high-precision tools and metrology. Work is performed in a controlled clean-room manufacturing environment and requires significant technical skill, judgment, and independence in the execution of high-performance optical products.

• Perform active alignment of lenses and optical elements into metal housings using precision fixturing.
• Use alignment and metrology tools such as air-bearing spindles, autocollimators, alignment telescopes, precision stages, and indicators to achieve required tolerances.
• Adjust decenter, tip, tilt, and axial position to meet defined optical and mechanical specifications.
• Apply adhesives and permanently secure optics while maintaining alignment during cure.
• Inspect optical elements for defects including scratches, digs, chips, and coating defects.
• Inspect machined metal housings for burrs, surface damage, and dimensional inconsistencies.
• Evaluate cosmetic and functional acceptability using defined optical inspection criteria.
• Determine fitness-for-use of optics and hardware prior to assembly and elevate issues as required.
• Measure critical features using high-precision metrology tools including micrometers, bore gauges, comparators, and dial indicators.
• Verify alignment results and dimensional stability before, during, and after bonding.
• Independently troubleshoot alignment and assembly challenges, including tolerance stack‑up, fixture inaccuracies, part variability, and contamination.
• Adapt alignment and assembly techniques within controlled parameters when documented processes are incomplete or ambiguous.
• Partner with engineering and quality to resolve complex assembly issues.
• Accurately document alignment data, measurements, and final build conditions.
• Provide technical feedback to support process improvement, yield enhancement, and design for manufacturability.
• Support root‑cause investigations and corrective actions related to optical assembly issues.
• Maintain high standards of workmanship, repeatability, and discipline in clean-room operations.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical certification, associate degree, or equivalent advanced vocational training in optics, precision manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred.
• 3‑5 years of hands‑on experience in precision optical assembly, active optical alignment, or optical metrology.
• Demonstrated experience achieving micron-level alignment accuracy in a production or laboratory manufacturing environment.
• Experience working independently on complex, high-precision optical assemblies with limited supervision.

• Strong understanding of optical principles, precision measurement, and mechanical tolerancing.
• Proficiency with advanced optical alignment and metrology equipment.
• Ability to interpret optical and mechanical drawings, specifications, and tolerances.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to exercise technical judgment within defined quality systems.
• Ability to document complex alignment data clearly and accurately.
• Ability to communicate technical issues and observations effectively with engineering and quality teams.
• Demonstrates accountability, adaptability, and disciplined execution in a precision manufacturing environment.

• Work is performed in a clean-room manufacturing environment.
• Requires compliance with defined gowning and contamination-control protocols.
• Involves handling delicate optical components and precision-machined hardware.
• Requires sustained visual focus and fine motor control for detailed alignment tasks.
• May involve extended periods of sitting or standing.
• Requires compliance with ESD and chemical-handling safety requirements.

Certain positions with IDEX Corporation and its business units require access to controlled goods…