Sr Development Engineer - Accelerated Growth

IDEX Corporation•Portage, MI

1d•$100,000 - $150,000

About The Position

IDEX Material Science Solutions is seeking a Senior Development Engineer specializing in ultra-precision diamond turning. The role develops and validates manufacturing processes for high-precision optical and mechanical components, supports customer applications, conducts machine demonstrations and acceptance trials, and provides technical leadership throughout the application lifecycle. It requires hands-on expertise with single-point diamond turning, freeform machining, precision metrology, machine dynamics, tooling, and environmental process control. Experience with 5-axis ultra-precision machining systems is strongly preferred. The position provides technical support to customers and partner sites, collaborates with internal engineering and commercial teams, helps develop new machine capabilities and application solutions, and mentors junior applications engineers. Candidates must qualify as a U.S. person under applicable export-control regulations because the role involves access to export-controlled technical data. Periodic travel to customer or partner facilities is required.

Requirements

Qualify as a U.S. person under applicable U.S. export-control regulations; the posting identifies U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents as qualifying examples.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Optical Engineering, Precision Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline; equivalent advanced technical experience may be considered.
Typically, 7 or more years of relevant experience in ultra-precision machining, diamond turning, precision optics manufacturing, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated hands-on experience with multi-axis diamond-turning machines.
Strong knowledge of single-point diamond turning and ultra-precision process development.
Experience machining diamond-machinable materials such as aluminum alloys, crystals, copper, nickel-phosphorus-plated substrates, or optical polymers.
Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, optical prescriptions, and surface specifications.
Working knowledge of precision metrology, including several of the following: interferometry, profilometry, form measurement, surface-roughness measurement, coordinate measuring machines, and optical alignment and inspection.
Experience diagnosing surface-finish and form-error problems using metrology and process data.
Understanding of machine kinematics, servo systems, thermal stability, vibration control, spindle performance, and error compensation.
Experience with CAD/CAM software, CNC programming, and machine-control interfaces.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and customer-facing communication skills.
Ability to work independently and lead technically complex application projects.
Ability and willingness to travel and work periodically at customer or partner facilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with 5-axis ultra-precision machining systems.

Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and document diamond-turning processes for spherical, aspheric, diffractive, off-axis, and freeform components.
Program, set up, and operate multi-axis ultra-precision diamond-turning machines, preferably including 5-axis platforms.
Select machining strategies, tool geometry, workholding, process parameters, and compensation methods.
Translate optical or mechanical designs into manufacturable processes using CAD/CAM and machine-specific programming systems.
Conduct process feasibility studies, cycle-time estimates, and technical risk assessments.
Achieve demanding dimensional, form, surface-finish, and optical-performance requirements.
Diagnose and resolve issues involving tool wear, vibration, thermal drift, servo performance, surface defects, alignment, and workholding.
Use metrology data to characterize errors and implement corrective or iterative machining strategies.
Provide on-site and remote technical support, employee training, and process-development assistance to customers and partner sites.
Collaborate with machine design, controls, software, service, sales, and product-development teams.
Support development of new machine capabilities, accessories, tooling solutions, and application software.
Prepare technical reports, application notes, operating procedures, training materials, and customer presentations.
Mentor junior applications engineers and establish best practices for ultra-precision machining.
Maintain compliance with applicable quality, safety, export-control, and information-security requirements.
Travel and work periodically at customer or partner facilities.