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Optical Manufacturing Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

viaPhoton

Manufacturing Technician

Aurora, IL

About the Role You'll optimize fiber optic manufacturing processes by working hands-on with equipment, operators, and engineers. This role bridges technical know-how with practical production reality.

viaPhoton

Manufacturing Technician

Naperville, IL

About the Role You'll optimize fiber optic manufacturing processes by working hands-on with equipment, operators, and engineers. This role bridges technical know-how with practical production reality.

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$130 - $170/hr

Script and automate optical simulations and analyses Prototyping, Testing & Manufacturing * Build and characterize optical hardware using optical metrology to validate performance against system ...

Essilor

Sales Associate Target Optical

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Target Optical is part of EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of world-class vision care products, including iconic eyewear, advanced lens technology and ...

Raynor Mfg. Co.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Dixon, IL · On-site

$84K - $120K/yr

Perform inspections on parts, components, tooling, and equipment using common metrology tools. (micrometers, calipers, optical comparator, etc.) * Establish and monitor metrics for manufacturing ...

Panduit

Fiber Optics Design Engineer

Tinley Park, IL

$80K - $100K/yr

... manufacturing release. * Execute product validation , qualification, and reliability testing for ... Knowledge : Familiarity with optical communication transceivers, high-speed optical links ...

Panduit

Fiber Optics Design Engineer

Tinley Park, IL · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

... manufacturing release. * Execute product validation , qualification, and reliability testing for ... Knowledge : Familiarity with optical communication transceivers, high-speed optical links ...

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Script and automate optical simulations and analyses Prototyping, Testing & Manufacturing * Build and characterize optical hardware using optical metrology to validate performance against system ...

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Script and automate optical simulations and analyses Prototyping, Testing & Manufacturing * Build and characterize optical hardware using optical metrology to validate performance against system ...

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Optical Manufacturing information

See Illinois salary details

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$31

How much do optical manufacturing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical manufacturing in Illinois is $24.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.68 and $27.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an optical manufacturing job?

An Optical Manufacturing job involves producing precision optical components such as lenses, mirrors, and prisms for industries like aerospace, medical devices, and telecommunications. Workers in this field use specialized equipment to cut, grind, polish, and coat optical materials to meet exact specifications. They may also inspect finished products for quality and ensure they meet industry standards. This role requires attention to detail, technical skills, and knowledge of optical fabrication processes.

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

To thrive in Optical Manufacturing, you need strong technical aptitude in precision measurement, mechanical assembly, and quality control, often supported by a background in optics, engineering, or manufacturing technology. Familiarity with tools like spectrometers, interferometers, CNC machines, and cleanroom procedures is crucial, and certifications such as IPC or ASQ may be beneficial. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective problem-solving are standout soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure the accuracy and quality of optical products, which are vital for applications in industries like healthcare, defense, and telecommunications.

What are the typical career advancement opportunities in optical manufacturing?

In Optical Manufacturing, entry-level roles often serve as stepping stones to more specialized positions, such as process technician, quality assurance specialist, or optical engineer. With additional experience and training, employees can advance into supervisory or management roles, or become experts in areas like process optimization or product development. Many companies encourage continuous learning, offering in-house training and support for professional certifications. Career growth may also include transitioning into related fields, such as research and development or technical sales, leveraging your manufacturing expertise.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Manufacturing jobs in Illinois?

For Optical Manufacturing jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Manufacturing jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Manufacturing jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Optical Manufacturing jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Optical Manufacturing job openings:

Optical Manufacturing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Manufacturing job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,055 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Manufacturing Technician

viaPhoton

Aurora, IL

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Who We Are

We are changing the norm by being customer-focused, technology-led. viaPhoton is reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. We design and deliver custom-engineered, end-to-end fiber connectivity solutions for the data centers, 5G networks, and AI infrastructure shaping the next decade, and our customers need them in weeks, not months. In five years we've grown to a team of 200+ and 4x'd our revenue in the last year alone, and we're just getting started. We're looking for people who want to do their best work with a team that's moving fast.

About the Role

You'll optimize fiber optic manufacturing processes by working hands-on with equipment, operators, and engineers. This role bridges technical know-how with practical production reality. You'll run experiments, analyze data, identify improvements, and help us manufacture faster and better every day.

  • Support daily production setup to align with production schedules and keep manufacturing operations running
  • Build prototypes and make equipment recommendations for new products
  • Collaborate with the process team to run tests, experiments, and data analysis that identify process improvements
  • Perform equipment setup, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting to minimize downtime
  • Collect and analyze process data, generate reports, and present findings that drive continuous improvement
  • Provide technical support and training to production associates on standardized processes

What You'll Bring

  • Have an associate's degree or higher in engineering or a related field
  • Have experience using CAD software to support manufacturing processes, with SolidWorks preferred
  • Can perform dimensional measurements and geometric tolerancing
  • Are familiar with Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methods
  • Bring careful troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis
  • Speak Spanish (a plus, but not required)

Want to read the full job description? Manufacturing Technician JD

What's in it for you?

  • Robust health, dental, and vision coverage that starts on day 1
  • 401(k) with 4% match, vests immediately after a 90-day waiting period
  • Flexible PTO that grows over time
  • 10 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays
  • Monthly team events
  • Click here to view our full benefits overview.

Location: Naperville, IL

Schedule: Mon–Fri | Onsite

Compensation: $60,000 to $70,000 base, plus annual bonus

We're building something big, and we want good people along for the ride. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today.

At viaPhoton, we are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We reinforce this through our core values and beliefs as well as our processes and strategic goals. We remind team members to seek various viewpoints, learn and be hungry with curiosity, and gain trust.

We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit and qualifications. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, health condition, genetic information, marital or family status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic background, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We provide reasonable accommodations and adjustments throughout the hiring process. If you need one, please let us know. Any personal data you share with us is handled confidentially and in line with applicable data protection law.