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Light Manufacturing Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Leonardo DRS

Lead Manufacturing Technician

Madison, WI · On-site

$28.87 - $41.28/hr

... light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life ... Job Summary As a Lead Manufacturing Technician, you will be responsible for the assembly, precise ...

Leonardo DRS

Lead Manufacturing Technician

Madison, WI · On-site

$28.87 - $41.28/hr

... light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life ... Job Summary As a Lead Manufacturing Technician, you will be responsible for the assembly, precise ...

Leonardo DRS

Lead Manufacturing Technician

Madison, WI · On-site

$28.87 - $41.28/hr

... light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life ... Job Summary As a Lead Manufacturing Technician, you will be responsible for the assembly, precise ...

Leonardo DRS

Lead Manufacturing Technician

Madison, WI · On-site

$28.87 - $41.28/hr

... light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life ... Job Summary As a Lead Manufacturing Technician, you will be responsible for the assembly, precise ...

Leonardo DRS

Manufacturing Technician

Madison, WI · On-site

$19.72 - $28.50/hr

Job ID: 114772 DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light ... Job Summary The Manufacturing Technician is responsible for assembling, testing, repairing, and ...

Leonardo DRS

Manufacturing Technician

Madison, WI · On-site

$19.72 - $28.50/hr

Job ID: 114772 DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light ... Job Summary The Manufacturing Technician is responsible for assembling, testing, repairing, and ...

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Light Manufacturing information

See Wisconsin salary details

$14

$25

$34

How much do light manufacturing jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for light manufacturing in Wisconsin is $25.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.38 and $29.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is light manufacturing?

Light manufacturing refers to the production of small or lightweight goods that typically require less capital investment and energy than heavy industry. Products made in light manufacturing facilities often include electronics, clothing, household items, and consumer goods. These operations usually have less environmental impact and are more flexible in terms of location compared to heavy manufacturing. Light manufacturing jobs may involve assembly, packaging, quality control, and machine operation. The work environment is often cleaner and less physically demanding than in heavy manufacturing industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in light manufacturing?

To thrive in Light Manufacturing, you need basic mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with manufacturing equipment, safety protocols, and inventory management systems like ERP software is often required. Strong teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and reliability help individuals excel in this environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining efficiency, safety, and product quality on the production floor.

What are some common challenges faced in a light manufacturing role, and how can new employees overcome them?

In light manufacturing, employees often encounter challenges such as adapting to repetitive tasks, maintaining attention to detail, and meeting production deadlines. It can also be demanding to quickly learn the safe and efficient use of various machinery or tools. New hires can overcome these challenges by seeking guidance from experienced team members, taking advantage of training opportunities, and staying organized to manage workloads. Open communication with supervisors about workflow concerns and a proactive approach to learning can also help new employees succeed in this environment.

What is the difference between Light Manufacturing vs Assembly Line Worker?

AspectLight ManufacturingAssembly Line Worker
CredentialsMinimal; often requires high school diploma or equivalentMinimal; typically high school diploma or equivalent
Work EnvironmentFactories, production plants, involving various manufacturing processesFactories, assembly stations, repetitive tasks on production lines
Industry UsageManufacturing sectors like electronics, textiles, plasticsPrimarily in automotive, electronics, and consumer goods industries

Light Manufacturing involves a broad range of production activities with varied processes, while Assembly Line Workers focus on repetitive tasks assembling products on a conveyor. Both roles often require similar credentials and work in factory settings, but Light Manufacturing covers a wider scope of manufacturing operations.

What are popular job titles related to Light Manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin?

For Light Manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Light Manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin look for?

The top searched job categories for Light Manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin are:

Light Manufacturing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Light Manufacturing job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,375 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Engineering Technician - Manufacturing

Leonardo DRS

Madison, WI • On-site

$28.87 - $41.28/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Leonardo DRS rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

86th of 546 rated manufacturers

Job description

Job ID: 114911
Business Unit: DRS Daylight Solutions
Location: Madison, WI 53704
Telework Type: N/A
Schedule: 9/80
DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life sciences; and industrial process control. As a mid-IR technology pioneer, Daylight Solutions has delivered more mid-IR systems to more applications world-wide than any other company.
Job Summary
As a Lead Manufacturing Technician, you will be responsible for the assembly, precise alignment, and testing of optoelectronic components and subassemblies in a production environment. This role involves leadership responsibilities, including training new team members, diagnosing malfunctions, performing complex assemblies, and ensuring compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements.
Job Responsibilities
  • Assemble, align, and test optoelectronic components and subassemblies in a production environment.
  • Execute repeatable production build processes for optical, electro-optical, and electromechanical hardware in accordance with released work instructions and manufacturing documentation.
  • Conduct in-process and final functional testing of optoelectronic hardware to verify conformance to product acceptance criteria and manufacturing requirements.
  • Troubleshoot electrical, optical, and mechanical faults encountered during production and implement corrective actions within established procedures.
  • Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on production equipment, tooling, and test stations.
  • Support the transition of prototype and development hardware into repeatable, controlled manufacturing processes for production use.
  • Ensure strict compliance with all safety, ESD, laser safety, regulatory, and company requirements in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations.
  • Maintain accurate production records, inspection results, rework documentation, and nonconformance data in accordance with quality system requirements.
  • Lead on-the-job training and mentorship of new team members on production methods, workmanship standards, and safe handling of optoelectronic hardware.
  • Meet established production KPIs related to schedule attainment, yield, product quality, rework reduction, inventory control, and compliance performance.
  • Interpret and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, control plans, and safety rules in accordance with our AS9100 quality standards to ensure consistent manufacturing execution.
  • Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization.

Qualifications
  • Requires an associate's degree in a technical discipline and 8+ years of equivalent experience in the field or in a related area.
  • Experience using precision optical, mechanical, and electrical measurement instrumentation (i.e., beam profile cameras, power meters, dial indicators, micrometers, calipers, and oscilloscopes).
  • Must demonstrate strong decision-making and leadership skills.
  • Experience handling small, delicate components, using Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) best practices.
  • Experience in the use of various computer applications, including Excel.
  • Must be experienced in the safe handling of chemicals.
  • Strong mechanical skills are required.
  • Experience cleaning optics is a plus.
  • Soldering and wire bonding experience is a plus.
  • Experience with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems is a plus.

The salary range for this position is $28.87 - $41.28/hour. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate's qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.
Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only
Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.
Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:
- Integrity
- Agility
- Excellence
- Customer Focus
- Community & Respect
- Innovation
We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.

What Leonardo DRS employees say

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About Leonardo DRS

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing and communications equipment manufacturing

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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