Optical Fabrication & Polishing Technician III

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Optical Fabrication & Polishing Technician III
Bond Optics – Lebanon, NH
Full-Time | 1st Shift (Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM)

Position Summary

Bond Optics is seeking a highly experienced Senior Optical Fabrication & Polishing Technician III to lead complex optical fabrication work and support process excellence across the shop floor.
This role is for a senior technician who can run difficult jobs including tight-tolerance work on large apertures, exotic materials, and multi-element assemblies mentor others, improve process repeatability, and partner with engineering and quality to drive yield, throughput, and consistency.

Essential Responsibilities

• Independently set up and run complex or high-value optical fabrication jobs with minimal supervision, including tight-tolerance work on challenging substrates and geometries.
• Operate and optimize conventional fabrication processes including grinding, lapping, polishing, beveling/chamfering, and edge finishing across a range of optical materials (glass, crystalline, IR-transmitting, and specialty substrates).
• Work from optical drawings, travelers, process routings, and specifications to deliver parts to tight requirements.
• Perform advanced in-process and final inspection using shop metrology and optical inspection tools including:
  • Interferometers (Zygo or equivalent) for flatness, transmitted wavefront, and surface figure
  • Autocollimators for wedge and angle verification
  • Micrometers, calipers, and electronic/dial indicators
  • Microscopes and visual inspection tools for cosmetic evaluation per applicable specs
  • Surface profilers or other metrology equipment as required
• Drive process control for critical features including thickness/parallelism, wedge/angle, flatness, edge condition, and cosmetics.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment issues; identify root causes and implement corrective actions in coordination with engineering and quality.
• Mentor and train Technician I and II personnel on setup standards, workmanship expectations, safe handling, documentation/traceability, and quality acceptance criteria.
• Support development and improvement of work instructions, process documentation, and standard methods.
• Lead by example in safety, cleanliness, organization, and quality discipline.
• Support production planning and priority execution by coordinating with supervisors and cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to improve yield, cycle time, and repeatability.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (technical training preferred).
• 8+ years of hands-on optical fabrication/polishing experience (or equivalent depth in precision optics manufacturing).
• Strong proficiency in conventional polishing/grinding/lapping processes.
• Strong ability to read and interpret optical drawings, specifications, and travelers.
• Proficient shop math skills including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry as applied to optical fabrication (wedge calculations, angle work, tolerance analysis).
• Demonstrated experience with precision inspection and process control.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and mentoring ability.
• Excellent documentation habits and communication skills.

Preferred:

• Strong experience with continuous polishing, spindle polishing, and double-sided polishing/grinding equipment.
• Experience with interferometers (Zygo or equivalent), autocollimators, electronic indicators, surface profilers, and microscope inspection.
• Experience supporting process improvements or training programs.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or other high-spec manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with military optical specifications such as MIL-PRF-13830B.
• Familiarity with shop-floor software, ERP/MRP systems, and production data systems.

What You Can Expect

• A shop-floor leadership role where your expertise directly impacts product quality and team capability.
• The opportunity to work on complex, high-value optics for demanding defense and aerospace programs.
• Collaboration with engineering and quality teams on process development and continuous improvement.
• A company that recognizes and relies on senior technical talent as the backbone of its manufacturing operations.

Physical / Work Environment

• Standing and active machine/bench work for extended periods.
• Must be able to regularly lift and carry up to 25 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Handling precision optics, tooling, and fixtures requiring manual dexterity and careful manipulation.
• Close visual inspection work and metrology use.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work is performed in a controlled manufacturing environment; noise level is generally moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation range: $28.00–$38.00/hour, depending on experience. Bond Optics offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Paid vacation and holidays
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Life insurance and short-term disability
• Day shift schedule, Monday through Friday

ITAR / Export Control Requirement
This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Accordingly, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), or persons admitted as refugees or granted asylum status under 8 U.S.C. § 1157–1158, as required under 22 CFR § 120.15. Bond Optics is unable to sponsor work visas for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bond Optics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Bond Optics will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified applicants and employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business. If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact Human Resources.