Optics Manufacturing Engineer / Second Shift

Standard Job Description

Performs in a collaborative environment to develop and implement manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, fabrication, and material handling. Drives adoption of new technologies and processes (automation, robotics, computer aided manufacturing software, etc.) to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement. Creates and analyzes 3D based model data environment to optimize manufacturing process and digital work instructions. Leverages understanding of materials and automatic processes to define operations procedures and build sequences to drive operational excellence. Evaluates performance (including IoT devices, etc.) of equipment and tools to verify their efficiency and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure operational excellence. Leverages factory data to develop statistical process control approaches and integrates reporting and data analytics solutions for continuous improvement. Provides input to product design regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.

You will be the Optics Manufacturing Engineer for the Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) team. Our team is responsible for delivering best‑in‑class optical components and systems—using optical grinding/polishing, precision fabrication, and lean manufacturing—to meet demanding defense missions.

What You Will Be Doing

As the Optics Manufacturing Engineer you will support the production of precision optical components leveraging grinding, polishing, and other high‑precision optical fabrications.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Providing technical guidance and hands‑on support to optical operators to achieve peak performance.
• Designing, documenting, and sustaining manufacturing and test plans for non‑recurring effort (NRE) projects, then transitioning those plans into full‑rate production.
• Applying lean manufacturing techniques to reduce cost, improve yield, and streamline workflow.
• Investigating root‑cause of failures or defects, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Managing tooling, manufacturing aids, and capital equipment requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

Basic Qualifications

Desired Skills

• Machining experience: CNC milling and turning, and CAM.
• Experience working in a production environment, including creation and upkeep of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and working with represented and non-represented employees.
• The use of a multitude of metrology platforms such as CMM's and advanced optical metrology, including stitching interferometry for large-aperture optics, white light interferometry, and both contact and non-contact profilometry.
• Experience with Excel VBA, Python, or MATLAB programming languages.
• Demonstrated project ownership and management, as well as collaboration tools such as Confluence, Jira, etc.