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Electro Optical Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

nLIGHT

Sr. Electro-Optical Engineer

Longmont, CO

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior EO Engineers mentor and help technically guide other engineers and technicians, shaping best ... Recognized expertise in working with laser and electro-optical systems, including safety ...

nLIGHT

Sr. Electro-Optical Engineer

Longmont, CO · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior EO Engineers mentor and help technically guide other engineers and technicians, shaping best ... Recognized expertise in working with laser and electro-optical systems, including safety ...

nLIGHT

Sr. Electro-Optical Engineer

Longmont, CO · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Electro-Optical (EO) Engineers at nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc. are the engine of execution. As a ... Senior EO Engineers mentor and help technically guide other engineers and technicians, shaping best ...

Koch Industries

Senior Electro-Optical System Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Provide technical guidance to process engineers and technicians. Provide technical support to ... At least 6 years electro-optical system and/or fiber optical system design and development ...

HEICO

Electro-Optic Test Technician

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

SBIR designs and manufactures the most technologically advanced Infrared (IR) and Electro-Optical ... and motivated Electro-Optic Test Technician to join our team. $35-$45 per hour, DOE ...

University of Rochester

$21.78 - $30.53/hr

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The Fab Shop technician will report to the Fab Shop Supervisor in the Optical ... Associate's degree in optics, electro-optics, physics, or mechanical technology and 3 years of ...

Heico

Electro-Optic Test Technician

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

SBIR designs and manufactures the most technologically advanced Infrared (IR) and Electro-Optical ... and motivated Electro-Optic Test Technician to join our team. $35-$45 per hour, DOE ...

University of Rochester

$21.78 - $30.53/hr

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The Coating Technician will report to the Coating Operations Supervisor in the ... Associate's degree in optics, electro-optics, physics, or mechanical technology and 3 years of ...

Ametek

Optical Lab Technician

Rochester, NY

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

... complex electro-optical systems and assemblies. Join our team, where your expertise will drive ... As an Optical Lab Technician at Navitar in Rochester, NY , you will be responsible for technical ...

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Electro Optical Technician information

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$15

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How much do electro optical technician jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for electro optical technician in the United States is $27.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.80 and $30.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Electro Optical Technician?

To thrive as an Electro Optical Technician, you need a solid understanding of electronics, optics, and precision assembly, often supported by an associate degree in electronics, photonics, or a related field. Experience with diagnostic tools, soldering equipment, laser systems, and relevant software like CAD is typically required, along with certifications such as IPC or ETA. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure accurate assembly, troubleshooting, and maintenance of complex electro-optical systems critical for performance and safety.

What are some common challenges faced by Electro Optical Technicians when troubleshooting complex systems, and how can they be overcome?

Electro Optical Technicians often encounter challenges such as diagnosing issues in intricate assemblies where electrical, optical, and mechanical components interact. Identifying the root cause requires systematic testing, careful analysis of system schematics, and sometimes collaboration with engineers or other specialists. Staying current with evolving technologies and documentation is crucial. Developing strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail can help overcome these challenges, as well as being proactive in communicating with team members for efficient resolution.

What does an Electro Optical Technician do?

An Electro Optical Technician is responsible for assembling, testing, maintaining, and repairing electronic and optical components and systems, such as lasers, fiber optics, and imaging devices. They often work in industries like aerospace, telecommunications, defense, or medical equipment manufacturing. Their job involves using precision instruments and diagnostic tools to ensure equipment functions properly and meets quality standards. Additionally, they may assist engineers in designing prototypes and troubleshooting technical issues.

What is the difference between Electro Optical Technician vs Optical Technician?

AspectElectro Optical TechnicianOptical Technician
CredentialsTypically requires an associate degree or technical certification in optics or electronicsOften requires an associate degree or specialized training in optics or photonics
Work EnvironmentWorks in labs, manufacturing, or military settings focusing on electronic and optical systemsWorks in labs, manufacturing, or research settings focusing on optical components and systems
Industry UsageUsed in defense, aerospace, and electronics industriesCommon in research, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors

Electro Optical Technicians and Optical Technicians share overlapping skills in optics and electronics, but Electro Optical Technicians focus more on electronic and integrated optical systems, while Optical Technicians concentrate on optical components and assemblies. Both roles are vital in industries like defense, aerospace, and manufacturing, often requiring similar certifications and work environments.

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Cities with the most Electro Optical Technician job openings:

What states have the most Electro Optical Technician jobs?

States with the most job openings for Electro Optical Technician jobs include:

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The top searched job categories for Electro Optical Technician jobs are:

Electro Optical Technician jobs near you
Infographic showing various Electro Optical Technician job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $58,105 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Sr. Electro-Optical Engineer

nLIGHT

Longmont, CO

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)
Experience: 10+ years of electro-optical experience
Minimum Education: Master’s Degree in Engineering, Science or related field. PhD is preferred.
Compensation: $170,000-$210,000 depending on experience.   

Who We Are
nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense.  Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies.  Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective.  We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.  

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary:
Electro-Optical (EO) Engineers at nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc. are the engine of execution. As a Senior EO Engineer, you are expected to serve as a technical authority and execution leader, not only problem-solving and aligning systems during system integration but leading the planning, coordination, and technical execution of complex, multi-disciplinary development and integration efforts.

Senior EO Engineers mentor and help technically guide other engineers and technicians, shaping best practices while learning and applying a broad set of multi-disciplinary tools and techniques ranging from opto-mechanical design and integration methods to software integration, controls, and advanced data analysis.

This role is designed for individuals who have progressed beyond disciplined bench execution and now routinely lead integrated product teams, own subsystem or system-level technical performance, influence programmatic decisions, and interface directly with internal stakeholders and external customers. If you want a career progression opportunity that leads from technical leadership to integrated product team lead and ultimately a technical program or system architect role, delivering complete EO systems to customers, then we are the right place for you.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.  Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.  Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities:    
  • Lead design, development, integration, and test of High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon Systems and/or HEL Beam Control Systems (BCS).
  • Serve as a system or subsystem technical lead, driving architecture, interfaces, requirements flow-down, and verification strategies.
  • Responsibilities include hardware integration and test, definition of test strategies, data processing, and preparation of formal performance, qualification, and acceptance test documentation.
  • Define, design, and approve complex test setups to evaluate key system performance parameters.
  • Coordinate and technically direct team members to execute complex integration activities across optics, mechanics, electronics, firmware, and software.
  • Provide on-site and remote technical leadership during field tests, including troubleshooting, data analysis, and real-time decision-making.
  • Identify technical risks and develop mitigation plans in coordination with program management.
Required Experience / Capability:     
  • Commitment to Excellence.  Attention to Detail.  Pride in Workmanship.    
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment and maintain composure and strong working relationships under pressure.
  • Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute work with minimal oversight, meeting mid- to long-term program milestones.
  • Advanced problem-solving capability, with the ability to synthesize information from multiple technical disciplines to reach sound engineering decisions.
  • Installation, alignment, and integration of optics, electro-optics, and mechanics (COTS and custom). Demonstrated leadership in enforcing cleanliness, contamination control, and process discipline, including cleanroom environments.
  • Recognized expertise in working with laser and electro-optical systems, including safety, reliability, and performance optimization.
  • Exhibit expert-level troubleshooting skills to solve complex and constrained opto-mechanical alignment problems, particularly for ruggedized systems.
  • Author, review, and approve technical reports, test plans, procedures, and customer-facing documentation.
  • Integration of auto-alignment algorithms and methods, including algorithm selection and performance trade studies.
  • Lead integration efforts for real-time control of electro-optical and mechanical components using LabVIEW, MATLAB, firmware, and/or C/C++/C# (normally involving code re-use).
  • Experience with electro-optical systems including acquisition, pointing, and tracking, with demonstrated ownership of system-level performance metrics.
  • Strong working proficiency in MATLAB and/or C/C++/C#; ability to review, modify, and guide software development.
  • Experience in specification and evaluation of optical coating requirements, particularly for high power applications.
  • Experience with optical fiber splicing, polishing, repair/service, and fiber management.
  • Experience mentoring engineers and technicians and providing technical direction across disciplines.
Additional Desired Experience / Capability: 
  • Experience in rugged design for optical systems including kinematic, flexure mounting, and optical/structural adhesive mounting.
  • System-level understanding of electro-optical architecture and interface management.
  • Experience in optical system alignment and test methods, including tolerance analysis and alignment planning.
  • Experience in opto-mechanical assembly, including receiving and inspecting components, dry-assembly, and bonding.
  • Experience in thermal management systems and thermal performance trade-offs.
  • STOP analysis (structural, thermal, optical performance).
  • Experience in vibration test, analysis, and isolation methods, particularly jitter analysis for opto-mechanical systems.
  • Experience in finite element analysis (FEA) modeling of vibration and thermal effects.
  • Static structure, fatigue, random vibration, and modal analysis.
  • Experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.
  • Advanced experience with MATLAB and LabVIEW.
  • Experience in Adaptive Optics (AO) Systems and/or High Energy Laser systems.
  • Exposure to MIL‑STD‑810 design, analysis, and/or qualification testing.
  • Experience with operation of machining, welding, or fabrication equipment.
Benefits Summary:  
  • 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year 
  • 11 paid Holidays 
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
  • Tuition Assistance Program 
  • Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents 
  • Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100% 
  • Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting  
  
Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at HR@nlightdefense.com.