Technician II - Optical Test at BAE Systems in Boulder, CO

Summary: BAE Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications. The Optical Technician II role involves supporting the optical testing laboratory, focusing on spectral measurements and optical handling while collaborating with a team to ensure quality and precision in high-impact aerospace projects.

Responsibilities:
- Perform spectral transmission and reflectance measurements of optical components and coatings using UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometers
- Perform infrared spectral measurements using FTIR spectrometers, following established procedures and setups
- Prepare samples, configure measurement fixtures, and set up instruments for spectral testing under guidance from senior technicians and leads
- Run calibration checks and reference standards to verify instrument performance before measurements
- Record, reduce, and analyze measurement data using basic math skills and standard analysis software
- Compare measured spectral data against component specifications and flag out-of-family results to leads and engineers
- Operate additional optical measurement equipment as trained, including measuring microscopes and profilometers
- Assist with the general maintenance and housekeeping of the optical test laboratory and associated equipment
- Perform solo tasks running them to completion in a timely manner
- Work well in a collaborative environment with a team of optics personnel, engineers and technicians to test, and characterize components and assist in building novel state-of-the art space based and airborne optical systems
- Balance fast paced daily work often with multiple simultaneous measurements and critical tasks
- Inquisitive self-starter, comfortable asking questions to ensure thorough understanding of assigned work prior to commencement of activities
- Conduct inspection and cleaning of optical components, including: Optical inspection per company processes and commercial standards
- Scratch-Dig measurements
- Abrasion / adhesion testing
- Basic dimensional measurements
- Vendor data package review
- Perform cleaning of optical components per company processes and commercial standards
- Measure and test optical components and assemblies using a variety of equipment, including: Interferometers
- Spectrophotometers
- Scatterometers
- Measuring microscopes
- Profilometers
- Process flight optics, including: Bonding optics into support structures using a variety of adhesive materials
- Supporting integration of optical components and subassemblies into payloads
- Integration of lenses into higher level assemblies using commercial lens alignment equipment
- Integrate other optical components into higher level assemblies
- Performing optical alignment of complex optical sensors
- Produce data packages and reports of completed measurements using Microsoft Office tools and custom systems
- Input required information into electronic build records in accordance with company processes
- Work in a collaborative environment with optics personnel, engineers, and technicians to test and characterize components for state-of-the-art optical systems
- Ask questions to ensure thorough understanding of assigned work before starting activities
- Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment
- Perform other duties as necessary

Required Qualifications:
- High School diploma or equivalent plus 1 year or more related experience
- Each higher-level related degree, i.e., Bachelor's or Master's, may substitute for two years of related experience. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education
- Optical, physics, chemistry, or materials laboratory experience with hands-on instrument operation
- Experience handling delicate components or samples requiring care and cleanliness
- Experience following detailed written procedures and recording measurement data
- Familiarity with spectral measurement concepts (transmission, reflectance, wavelength ranges) and aptitude to develop proficiency with spectrophotometers and FTIR spectrometers
- Mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity for working with delicate optical and opto-mechanical hardware
- Excellent attention to detail and practice following detailed processes and procedures with consistency and rigor
- Ability to read and interpret component drawings and specifications
- Working knowledge and use of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Ability to run technical software programs
- Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work with many different disciplines
- Inquisitive self-starter, comfortable asking questions to ensure thorough understanding of assigned work
- Aptitude to learn optical measurement equipment is a must
- Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, task tracking, practice following detailed processes and procedures with consistency and rigor
- Excellent collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to work with many different disciplines

Preferred Qualifications:
- Optical lab, optical assembly, optical test setup, and optical alignment experience; space-based optical system experience is preferred
- Hands-on experience operating UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometers
- Hands-on experience operating FTIR spectrometers
- Experience measuring optical coatings, filters, or witness samples
- Experience working in cleanroom environments
- Experience inspecting and cleaning delicate optical components
- Space-based or airborne optical system experience
- Knowledge of optical engineering fundamentals
- Experience with additional optical measurement equipment a strong bonus, including interferometers and spectrophotometers, profilometers, scatterometers, lens alignment equipment, theodolites, and measuring microscopes is desirable, and aptitude to learn this equipment
- Electronics aptitude
- Willingness and ability to acquire a security clearance

Required Skills: Spectrophotometers, FTIR spectrometers, Optical component inspection, Optical component cleaning, Optical alignment, Interferometers, Profilometers, Scatterometers, Measuring microscopes, Microsoft Office, Optical coatings measurement, Cleanroom environment experience, Optical assembly, Optical test setup, Lens alignment equipment, Technical software programs, Inquisitive self-starter

Benefits: Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance, Health savings accounts, A 401(k) savings plan, Disability coverage, Life and accident insurance, Employee assistance program, A legal plan, Discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave, Company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards, Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics., Temporary employees generally are not eligible for BAE Systems benefits, but can elect to participate in the 401(k) savings plan., Temporary employees working 20+ hours per week are eligible for medical benefits, the employee assistance program, and business travel accident insurance., Some benefits may be different for union employees that are governed by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or for positions covered by a wage law called the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).