Facilities Engineering Technician at Thorlabs

This position is for a candidate interested in pursuing a career path in Engineering for high technology product lines in Precision Optics and Specialty Fiber Optics.  The Engineering Technician will assist with product development, maintenance, and quality related tasks under the direct supervision of engineers. Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ, it may be required to travel to various locations including other Thorlabs entities and customer/vendor locations. 

Essential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to: 

• Assist in supporting the product line with a willingness to learn about products relating to thin film coatings, lenses, fiber optics, polarization optics, prisms, gratings, opto-mechanics, collimators, isolators, spectroscopy accessories, microscopy sub-assemblies, etc.
• Prepare solid models and technical drawings, generate controlled documents, and input data based on design proposals. 
• Formalize technical data such as qualification test procedures, acceptance test procedures, reports, component maintenance manuals, etc.
• Perform liaison function between engineering team and all manufacturing operations for any related issues, problems, or improvements.
• Interact with vendors and purchasers concerning supplied and proposed components.
• Responsible for changes and issues resulting from projects worked on.
• Assists lab testing, manufacturing, quality, and planning as required.
• Advise supervisor of work status, workload, problems and progress as related to work assignments.

Product Development Focused Role

• Support development through aid in market analysis, identifying applications, gathering customer requests, manufacturing capabilities, costs, capacity, projected sales, and any other driving forces.
• Assists in the development ensuring product repeatability manufacturability, and availability.
• Aid engineers and production in testing and collection of data.

Modifications Focused Role

• Implement assigned drawing and documentation modifications.
• Interact with production personnel to define and solve manufacturing/design issues and implement cost reduction ideas with regard to company products.

Quality Focused Role

• Assist with processing non-conformances from customers and manufacturing teams
• Manage inventory audits and product measurements to investigate potential issues
• Participate on teams to perform root cause analyses and implement corrective actions
• Support department efforts to maintain the division’s compliance with the corporate Quality Management System which is based on ISO 9001:2015
• Participate in weekly meetings to discuss product evaluations and updates on improvement projects

Facility Focused Role

• Assist with the Preventative Maintenance of manufacturing equipment
• Rapid response to unscheduled downtime of productions lines by making repairs as fast as possible
• Support manufacturing staff with training on equipment operation
• Complete projects to maintain and upgrade the facility to support group operations
• Complies with corporate safety policies and works to identify and help resolve any issues

In addition to the essential functions and duties listed above, all positions are also responsible for:

• Meeting company standards pertaining to quantity and quality of work performed on an ongoing basis, performing all work related tasks in a manner that is in compliance with all Company policies and procedures.
• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.

The Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. 

Physical Activities:

The employee must be capable of occasionally moving objects up to 10 pounds.

Experience:

• Some industry experience or related coursework is desired, but not required.

Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent. 
• Work experience in an Engineering or Manufacturing environment preferred.
• Advantageous having a technical degree, preferably in or relating to Drafting, Manufacturing, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Optics/Photonics, Quality but not required.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficiency in basic computer programs (Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Word) and web  tools
• Willingness to acquire new skills and knowledge, particular to job function and optics
• Proficiency in comprehending and generating technical drawings
• Familiar with ERP software and data entry
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work well in a group environment through good written and verbal communication skills
• Possess basic mechanical aptitude and use of hand tools
• Clear sense of ownership and ability to work independently
• Comfortable shifting between tasks to accommodate changing production needs creating dynamic priorities

Preferred

• Experience with 3-D modeling applications, ideally Solidworks, and best practices
• Proficient with documentation such as ECRO’s, Item Master, BoMs, and Routes
• Hands on experience with optics including alignment, measurement, and testing
• Experience using metrology equipment including calipers, interferometers, spectrophotometers, microscopes, lab setups, and other devices
• Background in Six Sigma, Lean Quality Control, or SPC 

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer.  Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.