Manufacturing Technician

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, tracing back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone over a century ago. With a proven track record of industry firsts—including application-specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium-doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, and fiber gratings—our mission is to deliver leading optical innovations by designing, manufacturing, and supplying the best optical fibers, fiber cable, components, and devices. We aim to create value for shareholders, customers, and employees through exceptional service and cutting-edge solutions.

About the role

The Manufacturing Technician will join our Avon, CT division on the 2nd shift, supporting the safe operation and maintenance of manufacturing equipment in our Glassworks department to drive continued business growth.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate equipment to drill and machine fiber optic preforms to print.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks on equipment, including cleaning, emptying, and replenishing coolant tanks and filters.
• Conduct tooling changeovers between different products.
• Inspect work output quality against drawings and/or specifications.
• Maintain a database of process and inspection results, periodically reviewing process stability.
• Manage an appropriate tooling inventory.
• Run multiple machines concurrently.
• Maintain a safe work area, adhering to 6S standards and audit documentation.
• Support production rod draw needs.
• Complete material transactions in JDE for work completed and report scrap.
• Identify machine-related issues requiring Engineering or Maintenance support.
• Participate in the Total Preventative Maintenance program.
• Serve as a role model for safe work practices, including following health and safety policies, maintaining a clean work area, and properly using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (required).
• Associate Degree in an Engineering discipline (a plus).
• Minimum of 2 years of CNC operation experience.
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with machine tools and gauges.
• Experience with machining glass materials (desired).
• Troubleshooting skills for equipment and processes.
• Knowledge of metrology and geometric tolerancing.
• Ability to work with tolerances of +/-.0001”.
• Proficiency in reading blueprints and understanding complex manufacturing drawings/process layouts.
• Ability to write procedures.
• Positive attitude, excellent organizational skills, leadership ability, and strong attention to detail.
• Effective time management to efficiently move jobs through the workflow.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries with an 8% premium for 2nd shift and 12% for 3rd shift.
• Generous benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, and well-being.
• Company-sponsored 401(k) plan with a generous match and no vesting period.
• Tuition assistance, on-the-job training, and opportunities for growth and advancement (promote from within).
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program and paid holidays.
• Casual work environment with PPE, safety eyeglass, and shoe allowance.
• Consistent shifts and schedules.
• Clean, climate-controlled, modern facility with state-of-the-art equipment.

About Lightera

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies for communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, Lightera serves customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets as part of the Furukawa Electric Group.