Optician - Precision Fabrication 2nd Shift

About the role

Zygo Corporation, a global leader in advanced optical metrology systems, ultra-precision optical components, and complex electro-optical systems, seeks an onsite Optician – Precision Fabrication to join their Extreme Precision Optics team in Richmond, CA. This role involves fabricating and finishing high-tolerance optics for demanding customer applications in aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, and industrial sectors.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced optical fabrication processes such as coring/sawing, generating, beveling, blocking, fine grinding, lapping, polishing, and finishing for high-tolerance components.
• Independently set up, operate, and troubleshoot optical fabrication equipment; select tooling/consumables and optimize parameters to achieve form, surface quality, and throughput targets.
• Lead day-to-day execution on assigned jobs; coordinate with planning, engineering, and management to meet quality and on-time delivery commitments.
• Interpret complex engineering drawings, process travelers, and specifications; ensure work is documented and traceable.
• Perform and/or support optical testing and metrology (e.g., interferometry); interpret results and recommend corrective actions.
• Mentor and train junior opticians in equipment setup, safe optics handling, and best practices; provide technical guidance as needed.
• Maintain equipment, fixtures, and tooling; perform preventive maintenance and support continuous improvement initiatives (yield, cycle time, safety, and 5S).

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Associate’s degree in manufacturing or optics preferred.
• 6+ years of hands-on production manufacturing/operations in precision optical manufacturing (lapping/polishing and finishing high tolerance optics).
• Expert safe optics handling and cleaning practices appropriate for precision surfaces and coatings.
• Interferometry and optical metrology experience (setup, data interpretation, and feedback to process) and experience with test plate usage and advanced corrective polishing techniques preferred.
• Optotech, Satisloh, Schneider, CNC experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of surface quality/defect standards and how fabrication processes impact them, ability to improve process (yield/cycle time) preferred.
• Solid mathematical aptitude with ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings, written specifications, and verbal instructions.
• Excellent manual dexterity and attention to detail to handle delicate optical components.
• Collaborative team player with a focus on problem-solving.
• Able to take initiative, be resilient, and flexible with shifting priorities.
• Organized, conscientious, and focused.
• Driven to achieve with a commitment to quality and a safety-first mindset.
• Computer skills for data entry, documentation, and communication.
• Capable to lift and move up to 70 lbs. and stand for extended periods of time.

Qualifications

• The legal right to work in the US and access to export-controlled information and source code.

Skills

• Safe optics handling and cleaning practices.
• Interferometry and optical metrology experience.
• Advanced corrective polishing techniques.
• Understanding of surface quality/defect standards.
• Mathematical aptitude.
• Manual dexterity and attention to detail.
• Collaborative teamwork.
• Problem-solving abilities.
• Initiative and flexibility.
• Organization and focus.
• Commitment to quality and safety.
• Computer skills.

Benefits

Competitive compensation, benefits, retirement (401k), and paid time off programs. Salary range: $55,000 - $75,000 per year. For more information on AMETEK's competitive benefits, please visit here.

Pay

$55,000 - $75,000 per year.

Schedule

Hourly Employee Type: Hourly Currency: USD

Disclaimer

Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location. For more information on AMETEK's competitive benefits, please click here. AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.5 billion. AMETEK is committed to making a safer, sustainable, and more productive world a reality. We use differentiated technology solutions to solve our customers’ most complex challenges. We employ 22,000 colleagues, in 35 countries, that are grounded by our core values: Ethics and Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. AMETEK is a component of the S&P 500. Visit https://www.ametek.com/careers for more information. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should call 1 (866) 263-8359.