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Optical Lab Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Kraken Robotics

Calibration Technician

Longmont, CO · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

The ideal candidate combines strong technical aptitude with careful execution, thrives in a lab environment and is comfortable working with optics, electronics, and software tools. Roles and ...

Excelitas Technologies

Metrology Technician

Boulder, CO

$23 - $29.64/hr

... optical coatings * Laser Damage Testing * Calorimeter * Alexometer * Coating Profiler (13102) * Ringdown * Maintain and troubleshoot basic metrology equipment. * Assist metrology lab users on test ...

Quantinuum

Optics Technician - 823

Broomfield, CO · On-site

$53K - $66K/yr

Monitor and maintain tools & supplies at lab workstations. * Pack completed optical assemblies for shipping. * Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds may be required. * Follow all safety protocols ...

Excelitas Technologies

Metrology Technician

Boulder, CO

$23 - $29.64/hr

... optical coatings * Laser Damage Testing * Calorimeter * Alexometer * Coating Profiler (13102) * Ringdown * Maintain and troubleshoot basic metrology equipment. * Assist metrology lab users on test ...

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Optical Lab information

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How much do optical lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical lab in Colorado is $22.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $21.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Optical Lab Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Lab Technician, you need a solid understanding of lens fabrication, optical measurements, and quality control, typically supported by a high school diploma or technical training in optics. Familiarity with lens edgers, surfacing machines, and digital measurement systems is essential, and certifications from organizations like the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) can be beneficial. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, and strong problem-solving skills help ensure precision and efficiency in daily tasks. These skills are critical for producing high-quality eyewear that meets both industry standards and customer needs.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the optical lab industry, high-paying roles such as senior lab managers or specialized opticians can reach six-figure salaries, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or ownership of a lab. However, most positions in optical labs typically do not pay $500,000 annually, as such earnings are more common in executive or entrepreneurial roles across various industries.

What is the difference between Optical Lab vs Optical Technician?

AspectOptical LabOptical Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, training in lens fabricationHigh school diploma, certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing setting, working with lens equipmentRetail or clinical setting, assisting with eyewear fitting
Job FocusFabricating and finishing lensesAssisting with eyewear adjustments and measurements

Optical Lab and Optical Technician roles are related but distinct. The Optical Lab primarily focuses on lens fabrication and finishing in a manufacturing environment, requiring specialized skills and equipment. In contrast, Optical Technicians often work directly with customers or in retail settings, assisting with eyewear fitting and adjustments. Both roles require knowledge of optics but differ in daily tasks and work settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in an Optical Lab and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in an Optical Lab often encounter challenges such as maintaining precise quality control, managing high volumes of orders, and adapting to rapidly evolving lens technologies. Attention to detail is crucial, as even small errors can impact a patient's vision and satisfaction. To address these challenges, it’s important to follow strict standard operating procedures, utilize continuous training on new equipment, and foster strong communication with optometrists and sales teams to ensure accuracy and timely delivery.

What is the highest paid optometry job?

The highest paid optometry jobs typically include specialized roles such as optometrists with advanced certifications or those working in private practices, hospitals, or specialized clinics. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and subspecialty areas like ocular disease or vision therapy, with some earning over $150,000 annually. Leadership positions such as clinic directors or optometry practice owners also tend to have higher compensation.

What is an optical lab?

An optical lab is a specialized facility where prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other optical devices are manufactured and assembled. These labs use advanced machinery and skilled technicians to cut, grind, and coat lenses according to a patient's prescription. Optical labs also fit lenses into frames, check for quality, and ensure that each pair of glasses meets the required standards for vision correction and safety.

What is the highest paid lab technician?

The highest paid lab technicians are often those working in specialized fields such as pharmaceutical or industrial laboratories, with salaries reaching over $60,000 annually. Experience, certifications, and advanced technical skills can significantly increase earning potential in this role.

Do you need a degree to be an optical lab tech?

An optical lab technician typically does not need a college degree but should have a high school diploma or equivalent. Training is often provided on the job, and skills in handling optical equipment and understanding lens prescriptions are important. Certification is not required but can enhance job prospects.
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Lab jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Optical Lab jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Lab jobs in Colorado? For Optical Lab jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Lab jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Lab jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Optical Lab jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Optical Lab job openings:
Optical Lab jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Lab job openings in Colorado as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,686 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Coatings Materials Scientist

Xcimer Energy

Denver, CO

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research in inertial fusion energy (IFE) combined with innovative engineering and manufacturing approaches. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants at scale to meet global decarbonization goals. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders across fusion science, materials, and manufacturing with a strong track record of execution. Backed by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver clean, reliable fusion energy.
 
This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.
 
As a Coatings Materials Scientist in the Materials & Process Engineering (M&P) Department, you will work closely with the optical and laser systems teams to develop and implement advanced coatings and material solutions for fluorine-resistant environments. This role is hands-on and execution-driven, spanning coating development, materials characterization, and scale-up to production-relevant processes.
 
You will play a critical role in enabling durable optical performance and system reliability in aggressive chemical environments, directly impacting the core performance of Xcimer's fusion systems.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and optimize fluorine-resistant optical coatings for laser-facing components, including mirrors, windows, and diagnostic optics.
  • Design and evaluate fluorine-compatible material systems for broader system applications (e.g., chambers, fixtures, and exposed hardware).
  • Work closely with the optics and laser engineering teams to define coating requirements, performance targets, and integration constraints.
  • Lead hands-on coating deposition efforts, including thin film development, process tuning, and substrate preparation.
  • Design and execute test plans and Design of Experiments (DOE) to evaluate coating adhesion, durability, chemical resistance, and optical performance.
  • Perform detailed materials and coating characterization, including microstructural, compositional, and optical property analysis.
  • Analyze failure modes (e.g., delamination, degradation under fluorine exposure) and drive root cause investigations and corrective actions.
  • Develop and document coating processes, specifications, and qualification procedures.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to scale coating processes from lab development to pilot and high-volume manufacturing.
  • Support integration of coatings into system hardware, including validation under relevant operating conditions.
  • Contribute to the development of experimental infrastructure and coating test platforms within M&P.
Qualifications
  • Education: PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or a closely related field.
  • Experience: 5-10 years of industry experience in coating development, materials engineering, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated experience developing optical coatings and/or protective coatings for harsh environments.
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Thin film deposition processes (e.g., PVD, CVD, IBS, ALD,  sputtering, evaporation, plasma-based methods)
    • Coating adhesion, stress, and durability mechanisms
    • Optical coating performance (reflectivity, absorption, damage thresholds)
  • Hands-on experience with coating fabrication and processing.
  • Hands-on expertise with materials and coating characterization tools, including:
    • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
    • Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
    • Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS/EDX)
    • X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
    • Optical microscopy and profilometry
    • Surface analysis and coating thickness/roughness measurements
    • Strong ability to correlate microstructure, composition, and processing conditions to coating performance
  • Experience designing and executing DOE and structured experiments.
  • Ability to independently troubleshoot complex materials and coating failures.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, hardware-focused environment.
  • Execution-focused mindset with the ability to move quickly from concept to validation.
  • Strong collaborator, able to work across optics, materials, and system teams
  • Strong data analysis skills and familiarity with statistical methods.
  • Experience writing technical reports, specifications, and documentation.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Desired
  • Experience developing coatings for chemically aggressive environments, particularly fluorine or halogen chemistries.
  • Background in laser optics, optical coatings, or high-energy laser systems.
  • Experience transitioning coatings from R&D to pilot or high-volume manufacturing.
  • Familiarity with scaling coating processes for industrial production.
  • Experience working with external coating vendors or contract manufacturers.
  • Knowledge of coating durability testing standards (thermal cycling, chemical exposure, laser damage).
  • Experience in system-level integration of coatings into hardware environments.
  • Highly hands-on and experimental, comfortable working in lab and hardware environments.
$140,000 - $170,000 a year
Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on "EEO Is the Law," please see here and here.
 
Benefits
Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company's long-term success.
Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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