Master Polisher - Ultra Precision Optics

IDEX Corporation•Portage, MI

About The Position

If you’re looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you’ve found it. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX is a place where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in an environment where you can make an impact. With interesting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more across more than 40 diverse businesses around the globe, chances are, we have something special for you. About Us Micro-LAM, a IDEX Inc. company, is a national leader in ultra precision optics, supporting cutting-edge applications in aerospace, defense, medical, and advanced imaging. We are proud to be consistently ranked among the best workplace cultures in the nation, with a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, respect, and professional growth. Our team members stay with us because they are valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. --- Position Summary We are seeking a highly skilled Master Polisher to lead our CNC optical polishing operations. This is a senior-level, hands-on role responsible not only for producing world-class optical surfaces, particularly on aspheric surfaces, but also for mentoring and training the next generation of precision polishers. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in precision optical polishing, strong process knowledge, and a passion for craftsmanship and teaching. Relocation benefits provided for the right candidate. ---

Requirements

Significant prior experience in optical polishing (required)
Proven expertise with CNC polishing equipment (Satisloh or Schneider preferred)
Demonstrated ability to produce ultra precision optical surfaces
Strong understanding of: o Optical materials (glass, fused silica, ceramics, etc.) o Surface figure and finish requirements o Polishing techniques and tooling
Experience training or mentoring others strongly preferred
Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship mindset
Ability to troubleshoot and solve complex polishing challenges

Nice To Haves

10+ years of optical polishing experience
Experience in ultra precision or high-performance optics manufacturing
Experience working to aerospace, defense, or advanced optical standards
Familiarity with interferometry and optical metrology feedback

Responsibilities

Lead and execute CNC optical polishing processes to achieve ultra precision surface requirements
Produce optical components meeting stringent specifications for: o Surface figure o Surface finish o Dimensional tolerances
Develop, optimize, and refine polishing processes for quality and efficiency
Train, mentor, and coach technicians and developing polishers
Serve as a technical expert and resource for polishing best practices
Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to resolve technical challenges
Evaluate and improve polishing tooling, techniques, and workflows
Ensure consistent adherence to quality standards and procedures
Assist in process documentation and continuous improvement initiatives