Engineering Technician - Optical

Nightforce Optics • Orofino, ID

2d

About The Position

As part of Nightforce Optics’ R&D team within the Optical Engineering Group, the Engineering Technician provides hands-on technical support for developing and evaluating new and existing Mil-Spec and commercial products in the firearms and outdoor industry. Under general supervision, the technician assembles and troubleshoots prototypes, sets up and operates test equipment, and conducts scope testing and other product evaluations using established procedures. The role involves recording and summarizing test data, verifying part and assembly functionality and performance, identifying issues, and assisting engineers with root cause analysis and potential design improvements. The technician also supports the transition from development to production and provides guidance to entry-level Engineering Technicians. Routine and moderately complex tasks are handled independently; complex or unfamiliar problems are referred to senior technicians or Engineering staff.

The role supports engineers in creating, modifying, and testing products and processes. It involves assembling, aligning, and testing optical, opto-mechanical, and electro-optical systems; using optical metrology equipment; following test procedures and engineering work instructions; interpreting engineering drawings and specifications; and documenting test results and non-conformances. The technician identifies how mechanical design, electronic integration, and assembly processes affect performance, provides actionable feedback to engineering, and supports production troubleshooting. Additional duties may include creating CAD lens models and drawings.

Nightforce Optics describes itself as a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium sport optics products, including riflescopes, spotting scopes, and accessories. The company was established in 1992 and emphasizes rugged, reliable, high-performance products.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2–4 years of experience in a similar role.
• High degree of mechanical aptitude and proficient math skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use hand tools and work with small optical, mechanical, and electrical components.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment.
• High regard for confidentiality.
• Experience reading and analyzing 2-D prints.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to keep accurate records.
• Positive attitude and high motivation.
• Excellent technical communication skills with engineers and manufacturing personnel.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds, with or without accommodation.
• Ability to push or pull up to 25 pounds frequently.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR.
• Job offers are contingent on passing pre-employment requirements, including a drug screen and criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the shooting sports or outdoor industry.
• Associate degree in an engineering or science discipline.
• Experience integrating optics with displays or electronically controlled optical components.
• Experience building opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with polarization effects and alignment sensitivity in optical systems.
• Experience in ESD-controlled environments and electronics handling.
• Machining and fabrication experience.
• Mechanical design and drafting (CAD) experience.
• Metrology experience, including interferometers, optical comparators, height gauges, CMMs, or handheld measurement tools.
• Exposure to optical or mechanical design tools, such as Zemax or CAD drawings.
• Experience with data acquisition systems.
• Experience supporting production builds or new product introductions.
• Professional communication, attention to detail, positive attitude, adaptability, creativity, innovation, keen observation, ability to see the big picture, respect for different viewpoints, and willingness to mentor and train.

Responsibilities

• Assist engineers in creating, modifying, and testing products and processes.
• Assemble, align, and test optical, opto-mechanical, and electro-optical systems and their associated components.
• Perform optical alignment and verification using laboratory equipment such as interferometers, collimators, alignment telescopes, autocollimators, and beam profilers.
• Set up and execute test procedures and engineering work instructions to verify optical, mechanical, and electro-optical performance.
• Identify root causes where mechanical design, electronic integration, or assembly processes affect optical or electro-optical performance, and work with engineering to resolve them.
• Interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Provide actionable feedback to optical, mechanical, and electrical engineers on housing design, alignment features, fixturing, cable routing, and manufacturability.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, test setups, tooling, and fixtures, and follow optical handling, ESD, and contamination-control practices.
• Communicate effectively with employees and management at all levels.
• Support production by troubleshooting issues involving optical alignment, display integration, illumination uniformity, electronic interfaces, tolerance stack-ups, fastener torque, retention methods, and assembly variation.
• Perform basic electrical testing, including continuity checks, power verification, and functional bring-up, under established procedures.
• Document test results, alignment data, electro-optical performance metrics, and non-conformances in laboratory or production records.
• Support the transition of products from development to production and provide guidance to entry-level Engineering Technicians.
• Create CAD lens models and drawings, as assigned.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Paid time off: 60 hours in the first year, increasing year after year.
• 10–13 paid holidays per year.
• Matching 401(k) after one year of employment.
• Four-day work week.
• Employee discount on scopes and Nightforce apparel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED