Senior Assembly Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Assembly Technician

Optical Engines Inc. (OEI) — Colorado Springs, Colorado

Position Summary

Optical Engines Inc. is seeking a skilled, detail-oriented Senior Assembly Technician to assemble, integrate, test, inspect, and troubleshoot advanced optical, fiber-optic, RF, and electrical systems.

The technician will perform complex manufacturing work from engineering drawings, schematics, bills of materials, work instructions, and specifications while serving as a technical resource and mentor to junior technicians. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical judgment, precision workmanship, quality discipline, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Assemble,      integrate, route, terminate, and inspect electro-optical, fiber-optic, RF,      electrical, and precision mechanical subassemblies and systems.
• Interpret      drawings, schematics, bills of materials, procedures, and technical      specifications.
• Prepare, strip,      clean, cleave, splice, terminate, connectorize, and route optical fibers      in accordance with approved procedures, bend-radius, cleanliness, and      handling requirements.
• Assemble RF      cables, electrical harnesses, connectors, and related components; perform      soldering, crimping, wiring, connector termination, and continuity checks.
• Use hand tools,      fixtures, microscopes, optical power meters, fusion splicers, multimeters,      and other precision assembly and test equipment.
• Perform      in-process and final inspections, functional verification, optical and      electrical measurements, and systematic troubleshooting.
• Diagnose      defects such as fiber damage, contamination, poor connections, excessive      optical loss, and electrical or RF assembly issues; identify root causes      and implement approved corrective actions.
• Accurately      document test results, inspections, nonconformances, rework, and      production records, and escalate design, process, quality, material, or      schedule issues as needed.
• Mentor and      train Assembly Technician I and II employees, demonstrate proper      techniques and quality practices, verify process proficiency, and review      work for compliance.
• Recommend      improvements to assembly methods, work instructions, tooling, fixtures,      production flow, cycle time, quality, and material utilization.
• Support      root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, new product      introduction, engineering builds, and a culture of safety, accountability,      teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• High school      diploma or GED; technical training or an associate degree in electronics,      photonics, manufacturing technology, or a related field preferred.
• Typically five      or more years of hands-on experience in precision assembly, electronics      manufacturing, fiber-optic or RF systems, or comparable high-technology      manufacturing.
• Ability to      interpret engineering drawings, assembly instructions, schematics, and      technical specifications.
• Experience      using precision tools, inspection equipment, and systematic      troubleshooting methods.
• Strong      attention to detail, adherence to documented procedures, and ability to      identify defects, resolve routine issues, and escalate problems      appropriately.
• Effective      written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated      reliability, accountability, sound judgment, and a quality-first mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with      fiber-optic stripping, cleaving, fusion splicing, connectorization, and      optical loss measurement.
• Experience      assembling RF cables, electrical harnesses, electronic components, and      precision mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity      with optical and electrical test equipment, functional testing, ESD      controls, FOD prevention, soldering, crimping, and applicable workmanship      standards.
• Experience in      aerospace, defense, photonics, laser systems, scientific instrumentation,      or other regulated or high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Experience      mentoring technicians and supporting new product introduction or      engineering builds.
• Familiarity      with lean manufacturing, 5S, root-cause analysis, and continuous      improvement practices.

Core Competencies

• Precision      craftsmanship and consistent quality.
• Methodical      technical problem-solving.
• Ownership of      workmanship, documentation, and production commitments.
• Adaptability to      new designs, prototypes, low-volume builds, and evolving processes.
• Effective      mentoring, collaboration, and technical leadership.
• Initiative in      improving safety, repeatability, efficiency, and team capability.

Measures of Success

• First-pass      yield, defect rates, and reduced rework.
• Reduction of      recurring defects and rework hours.
• On-time      completion of assigned manufacturing orders.
• Compliance with      procedures, inspection requirements, and documentation standards.
• Proficiency in      assigned technical processes and progress of junior technicians.
• Implementation      of approved quality and productivity improvements.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Hands-on work      in a precision manufacturing, laboratory, or production environment.
• Frequent use of microscopes, precision tools, test instruments, and      computer-based manufacturing documentation.
• Ability to      perform detailed visual inspections, maintain concentration during      precision tasks, and sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to      handle components, tools, and materials required for the position.
• Compliance with      safety, cleanliness, ESD, FOD, and product-handling requirements.

Recommended distinction between Technician II and Senior Technician

For OEI, I recommend defining the senior position as more than an experienced assembler. The senior technician should be capable of independently handling complex builds, resolving difficult assembly issues, and developing the capabilities of other technicians.

Responsibility Assembly Technician II Senior Assembly Technician

Assembly work Performs established procedures  Handles complex and less-routine    independently builds

Troubleshooting Resolves common issues  Investigates difficult defects and root   causes

Quality Meets documented requirements  Helps prevent recurring defects and   improve process

Training May assist colleagues  Actively mentors and qualifies junior    technicians

Engineering interaction Follows drawings and work   Identifies discrepancies and   instructions recommends process improvements

Continuous improvement implements established methods  Helps develop better methods, tooling,    and workflows