Optical Contamination and Cleaning Engineer – 2nd Shift

Introduction to the job

The Advanced Processing Optical Cleaning Engineer will support the cleaning and preparation of precision optical components. This is a 2nd shift, hands-on engineering role with significant time spent working directly with optical components, cleaning equipment, chemicals, technicians, and production processes.

The engineer will support daily manufacturing, execute cleaning test plans, troubleshoot process issues, and implement practical improvements to reduce contamination and defects. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on work and wants to develop expertise in optical cleaning and contamination control.

Role and responsibilities

Shift Details:
Monday through Friday 2:00PM - 10:30PM

• Support manual, chemical, ultrasonic, and automated cleaning processes for precision optical components.
• Prepare and evaluate optical surfaces before optical coating, including identification of particles, stains, residues, and other surface quality imperfections.
• Work directly with technicians to troubleshoot cleaning, handling, equipment, and contamination issues during 2nd shift production.
• Execute engineering experiments, cleaning trials, and qualification activities to evaluate chemicals, process parameters, and cleaning methods.
• Collect and analyze process data to identify trends, variation, and opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in root-cause investigations involving cleaning, contamination, handling, and coating defects.
• Support cleaning and contamination measurement equipment, including troubleshooting, qualification, and process improvements.
• Develop and maintain work instructions, test plans, process specifications, and qualification documentation.
• Train and support technicians on cleaning processes and process changes.
• Coordinate with optical coating, equipment engineering, quality, and operations teams to resolve production issues and support continuous improvement.
• Communicate production issues, experiments, and unresolved technical concerns between shifts.
• Follow applicable chemical handling, cleanroom, and EHS requirements.

Education and experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant engineering, laboratory, or manufacturing experience.
• Hands-on experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, cleanroom, chemical processing, or equipment environment preferred.
• Experience with precision optics, optical coating, optical cleaning processes, or contamination control is preferred.
• Familiarity with structured problem solving, SPC, or manufacturing process control is a plus.
• Experience with Excel, Minitab, JMP, Python, MATLAB, or similar analysis tools is beneficial but not required.

Skills

• Strong interest in hands-on engineering and working directly with manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Attention to detail when handling sensitive optical components and executing controlled processes.
• Able to work independently, troubleshoot problems systematically, and recognize when issues require escalation.
• Comfortable performing repetitive engineering tests and detailed process work when necessary.
• Interested in learning and developing deeper expertise in optical cleaning and coating processes.
• Position is assigned to 2nd shift and involves significant work in cleanroom, laboratory, and production environments.
• Some schedule flexibility may be required for training or coordination with 1st shift engineering teams.

The current base annual salary range for this role is currently $87,150 - $159,775

Additional Responsibilities:
There is potential for exposure to strong magnetic fields, high voltage and currents.

The current base annual salary range for this role…