Assembler II

IDEX Corporation•Town of Henrietta, NY

23h•$37,500 - $56,300

About The Position

The Optical Assembly Technician 2 performs advanced optical assembly and alignment operations requiring micron- and sub-micron-level accuracy. The role actively aligns optical elements to mechanical housings, verifies optical and mechanical performance, and permanently secures optics using high-precision tools and metrology. Work is performed in a controlled clean-room manufacturing environment and requires technical skill, judgment, and independence in the execution of high-performance optical products. The position is an A Shift opening, with hours from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Applicants for positions requiring access to controlled goods and technologies under ITAR or EAR may need to qualify as a U.S. Person. IDEX Materials Science Solutions (MSS) is a business platform within IDEX Corporation serving semiconductor, space and defense, and precision forming industries. Its companies specialize in advanced materials, precision manufacturing, optics, coatings, ceramics, and engineered components, partnering with OEMs on engineering challenges from concept development and prototyping through high-volume production.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
3–5 years of hands-on experience in precision optical assembly, active optical alignment, or optical metrology.
Demonstrated experience achieving micron-level alignment accuracy in a production or laboratory manufacturing environment.
Experience working independently on complex, high-precision optical assemblies with limited supervision.
Strong understanding of optical principles, precision measurement, and mechanical tolerancing.
Proficiency with advanced optical alignment and metrology equipment.
Ability to interpret optical and mechanical drawings, specifications, and tolerances.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exercise technical judgment within defined quality systems.
Ability to document complex alignment data clearly and accurately.
Ability to communicate technical issues and observations effectively with engineering and quality teams.
Accountability, adaptability, and disciplined execution in a precision manufacturing environment.
Compliance with defined gowning and contamination-control protocols and ESD and chemical-handling safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

Technical certification, associate degree, or equivalent advanced vocational training in optics, precision manufacturing, or a related technical field.

Responsibilities

Perform active alignment of lenses and optical elements into metal housings using precision fixturing.
Use alignment and metrology tools, including air-bearing spindles, autocollimators, alignment telescopes, precision stages, and indicators, to achieve required tolerances.
Adjust decenter, tip, tilt, and axial position to meet optical and mechanical specifications.
Apply adhesives and permanently secure optics while maintaining alignment during cure.
Inspect optical elements for scratches, digs, chips, and coating defects.
Inspect machined metal housings for burrs, surface damage, and dimensional inconsistencies.
Evaluate cosmetic and functional acceptability using defined optical inspection criteria.
Determine whether optics and hardware are fit for use before assembly and escalate issues as required.
Measure critical features using high-precision tools such as micrometers, bore gauges, comparators, and dial indicators.
Verify alignment results and dimensional stability before, during, and after bonding.
Independently troubleshoot alignment and assembly challenges, including tolerance stack-up, fixture inaccuracies, part variability, and contamination.
Adapt alignment and assembly techniques within controlled parameters when documented processes are incomplete or ambiguous.
Partner with engineering and quality teams to resolve complex assembly issues.
Document alignment data, measurements, and final build conditions accurately.
Provide technical feedback to support process improvement, yield enhancement, and design for manufacturability.
Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions related to optical assembly issues.
Maintain high standards of workmanship, repeatability, and discipline in clean-room operations.