
Lead Optics Technician (San Diego, CA)
San Diego, CAFull-time$87–96K/yrSeen 1mo agoSeen in employer's feed 3 days ago
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Requirements
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Job overview
Malin Space Science Systems seeks a Lead Optics Technician in San Diego to align and bond visible, infrared, and UV optics for space camera systems, perform inspections, and develop assembly methods in collaboration with engineers, while adhering to cleanroom and contamination control procedures.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
Lead Optics Technician (San Diego, CA)
Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) is a private technology company that designs, develops and operates space camera systems for government and commercial aerospace customers and provides services in spacecraft instrument operations and space science research. The Camera Systems Group (CSG) seeks a Lead Optics Technician with experience aligning and bonding visible, infrared, and UV optics for camera systems, performing visible and mechanical inspections of optical elements and housings, and developing assembly methods and procedures in collaboration with optical and mechanical engineers. Essential Functions
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Uses air-bearing rotation stages and physical and optical alignment metrology tools to perform precision alignment for (LWIR through UV) lens assembly.
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Obtains training and certification in NASA-STD-8739.1 Polymeric Mixing and Application.
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Hand-mixes, degasifies, and applies polymerics to bond optical elements in accordance with NASA-STD-8739.1, engineering drawings, and standard operating procedures.
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Performs detailed inspections of optical elements including cleanliness and scratch/dig.
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Uses optical metrology to characterize as-built alignment of lens assemblies.
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Uses precision stages and shims to focus lenses on camera assemblies.
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Works within a cleanroom environment.
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Adheres to strict contamination and foreign object control procedures.
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Maintains detailed written and photo-documentation of all inspection and assembly activities.
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Contributes to the continuous improvement of inspection, cleaning, alignment, and bonding operations.
Comp: $87,000-$96,000 Non-Essential Functions
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Performs boresight alignment, flat field imaging, and other optical calibration tests.
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Performs other duties as required which may become essential functions.
Minimum Qualifications
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Degree in optics, photonics, physics, electrical or mechanical engineering
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5 years minimum of relevant experience
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Proficiency with interferometers, autocollimators, and alignment telescopes
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Familiarity with optics assembly techniques for space-based optical systems
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly explaining technical issues and ideas to peers, management, and customer representatives
Physical Requirements Must be able to comprehend and communicate complex technical and engineering concepts. Must be able to remain in a stationary position while operating a computer for prolonged periods of time. Ability to work and move around in a cleanroom environment, wearing required outer garments including smock/coveralls, shoe covers, mask, hood and gloves. Moves in and around a lab space. Ability to handle high stress levels in connection with multiple conflicting priorities and deadlines. High tolerance for ambiguity and shifting expectations. Strong analytical and organizational skills with ability to prioritize workload. Disclaimer The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.
View MSSS Benefits (https://www.msss.com/msss\_benefits.pdf) MSSS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of any protected status, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals who are unable to use this online system due to a disability.To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact [email protected]
Department: Camera Systems Group
This is a non-management position
This is a full time position
Pay Range: $87,000-$96,000
How this job compares
Set against the 6,563 open Technician jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 2, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$87–96K/yr
- California median$58–87K/yr90 salary ranges
- US median$54–80K/yr735 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $92K, is 24% above the California median midpoint ($74K) — in the top quarter of Technician salary ranges in California.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 517 open Technician jobs in California and 6,563 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- SpaceX39 open
- Walmart21 open
- General Atomics17 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience — more than three in four Technician postings that state a minimum ask for (median 2 years, across 3,066 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 123 of the 6,563 open Technician jobs (2%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 2, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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