Lab Operations Technician V

Our team is looking for a Lab Operations Technician to keep our prototyping labs and tool stations running. We build AR and smart glasses prototypes (display engines, eyepieces, monocular display assemblies, and full glasses) across several labs and a cleanroom.

This role owns the day-to-day operation, upkeep, and readiness of that equipment: running process tools for builds, keeping tools calibrated and maintained, managing materials and consumables, keeping the lab safe and compliant, and training others on the stations.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, organized, and detail-oriented, comfortable with a wide mix of optical, mechanical, electrical, and additive tools, and able to work independently in a fast-moving R&D environment where priorities change often.

Operate our assembly and alignment stations to support prototype builds, including the R5 Prototyping Tool, R7 MDA Tool, display engine (DE) active alignment and DE lens-panel active alignment stations, the BDA tool, and the Nordson Pro Plus 3-axis adhesive dispenser. Run in-house lens fabrication and Rx support:
Coburn Surface Generator, Optical Dynamics Q-2100 lens casting and coating, MEI Easy Fit Trend edging, Keyence UV laser marking, and Nidek lensometer verification. Support display calibration and characterization stations (Geo-Cal/GDC and IOT calibration stations, solar simulator) and surface metrology (Keyence VR-6000 profiler): set up fixtures, run data collection to SOP, and organize and upload results. Operate and maintain rapid-prototyping equipment:
Bambu X1/X1 Carbon, Prusa, and Formlabs SLA 3D printers, Epilog laser cutter, ultrasonic cleaner, lab ovens, and solder stations; manage print queues and post-processing. Own equipment readiness: preventive maintenance, calibration tracking (last/next calibration dates), first-line troubleshooting and repair, and coordinating vendor service, installs, and new-tool bring-up and training. Keep our lab inventory current (equipment status, location, tool owner, trained users, manuals and SOP links, floor-plan pins) and maintain prototype storage and inventory.

Manage lab materials and consumables (adhesives, solvents/IPA, lens blanks, filament and resin, cleanroom supplies): track stock, reorder, and receive. Maintain lab safety and EHS compliance: chemical inventory and SDS, fume hoods and adhesive storage, hazardous waste, laser safety (Class 3B/4 controls, interlocks, signage, PPE), ESD, and cleanroom protocols. Write and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and tool user guides; train and sign off engineers and technicians on tools, and keep training records.

Support lab capital equipment purchases with the required documentation (spec sheets, SDS, manuals, EHS classification) and help plan lab layouts and equipment moves. Work with engineers and partner teams (RL Proto machine shop, TCMD metrology, calibration teams) to route work to the right tool or partner.

3+ years of hands-on experience as a lab, test, or manufacturing technician in an R&D, prototyping, or hardware development environment. Associate's degree or technical certificate in an engineering or technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting precision lab or process equipment (e.g., dispensing, alignment, metrology, or optical fabrication tools). Working knowledge of lab safety: chemical handling and SDS, ESD controls, and laser safety (up to Class 3B/4).

Experience following and writing SOPs/work instructions and keeping accurate records (equipment logs, calibration, inventory). Strong organization and attention to detail; able to manage multiple requests and shifting priorities with minimal oversight.

Experience with optical or ophthalmic lens processing (surfacing, casting, coating, edging, lensometry) or optical alignment. Experience with camera- or display-based calibration and metrology stations. Experience operating and maintaining 3D printers (FDM, SLA) and laser cutting/marking systems. Cleanroom experience; familiarity with adhesive dispensing and UV cure processes. Soldering and basic electronics rework. Prior work in AR/VR, consumer electronics, or optics. Familiarity with inventory or asset tracking tools, Jira, and basic scripting (Python) or AI tools to automate lab workflows.

Pay range is $41 - $46 per hour with full benefits available, including paid time off,…