Opto-Mechanical Lab Technician

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an Opto-Mechanical Lab Technician to join our client’s innovative research and development team in San Jose, CA. This is a contractor role with a 12 to 18+ month duration. This position will support the assembly, configuration, maintenance, and documentation of prototype hardware used in the evaluation of advanced semiconductor test technologies, including Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), optical interconnects, photonics systems, optical load boards, and related mechanical assemblies.

The successful candidate will work closely with mechanical, optical, and electrical engineers to assemble and maintain engineering prototypes and benchtop test systems. This role is focused on hands-on hardware assembly and laboratory support. No product design responsibilities are required.

Primary Responsibilities:

Mechanical Assembly:

• Assemble prototype mechanical systems, fixtures, mechanisms, and test hardware from engineering drawings and assembly instructions.
• Build and maintain benchtop test systems used for engineering evaluation and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
• Install and remove sockets, DUT fixtures, optical load boards, optical components, connector assemblies, actuator mechanisms, and associated hardware.
• Assemble precision mechanical components including brackets, mounts, alignment features, stages, slides, and prototype mechanisms.
• Support evaluation and testing of new mechanical concepts by preparing and modifying prototype assemblies.
• Assist engineers with integration and reconfiguration of development hardware.

Optical Hardware Handling:

• Handle fiber optic cables, optical connectors, and optical assemblies using established procedures.
• Route and secure fiber optic cables while maintaining proper fiber handling practices and bend radius requirements.
• Inspect and clean optical connectors as required.
• Assist with installation and removal of optical receptacles, optical engines, optical cables, and related hardware.
• Maintain good optical handling practices around sensitive photonics hardware.

Laboratory Support:

• Prepare test systems for engineering use.
• Install cables, cooling connections, fixtures, and supporting hardware.
• Assist engineers during setup, teardown, and reconfiguration activities.
• Maintain laboratory hardware in an organized and operational condition.

Qualifications:

(Required):

• Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET), Optical Technology, Physics, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 3+ years of hands-on mechanical assembly experience in one or more of the following: Prototype development, Engineering laboratories, Semiconductor equipment, Precision mechanical assembly, Manufacturing or production environments, Capital equipment assembly.
• Strong mechanical assembly skills.
• Experience assembling precision mechanical hardware using drawings, work instructions, or assembly procedures.
• Familiarity with common hand tools, torque-controlled fastening, and precision assembly practices.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D environment where configurations and priorities may change frequently.
• Ability to read basic engineering drawings and assembly documents.

(Preferred Qualifications):

Optical and Photonics Experience:

• Experience handling fiber optic cables and connectors.
• Familiarity with MPO/MTP, MT, LC, or similar optical connector technologies.
• Experience working around photonics or optical networking hardware.
• Understanding of optical cleanliness and contamination control practices.

Electronics and Laboratory Equipment:

• Familiarity with common laboratory equipment i.e. Oscilloscopes, Digital multimeters, Power supplies, Electronic loads, Thermal controllers, Optical power meters.

Semiconductor Industry Experience:

• Experience working with semiconductor, photonics, networking, or telecommunications equipment.
• Experience supporting engineering or prototype laboratories.
• Experience assembling high-value prototype hardware.

Compensation: $45 to $60 per hour.

Project Duration: 12 to 18+ months.

Interested? If you have any questions, please contact Dale via linked-in at