Senior Technician Fiber Optic Process at Monarch Quantum · San Diego

Join our fast-paced and collaborative team as a Senior Engineering Technician with a Focus on Optical Fiber Processes. In this hands-on role, you will support the development, optimization, and scaling of critical fiber-handling and integration processes that directly impact product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

You will work closely with the optical fiber process development engineers. This role is ideal for someone with strong practical experience in fiber preparation and integration who enjoys working at the intersection of R&D and manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the development and execution of fiber-centric processes, including:

• Precision fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation (SM, PM, specialty fibers)

• Fusion splicing (including low-loss and polarization-maintaining alignment)

• Fiber end capping and handling for high-poser or sensitive applications

• Fiber cleaning, preparation, and contamination control practices

• Inspection and analysis of fiber end-faces and splice quality

Support photonic assembly and integration:

• Fiber-to-device coupling and alignment (active and passive)

• Integration of fibers into packages (TO, butterfly, micro-optic assemblies)

• Optics attach (lenses, isolators, fiber arrays)

Process development & improvement:

• Execute DOE to improve optical performance, yield, and repeatability

• Follow process flows, work instructions, and travelers

• Troubleshoot issues related to optical loss, fiber damage, and process variability

• Support transition of processes from development into pilot and early-stage production

• Support tooling, fixturing, and automation strategies for fiber handling

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• Associate’s degree or High School Diploma and Equivalent Experience in a pertinent environment

• 3+ years with demonstrated hands-on expertise with fiber processes in a production or R&D environment

• Hands-on experience with fiber handling and processing in a lab or manufacturing environment

Core Skills:

• Fiber cleaving, stripping, and preparation techniques across a range of fiber types

• Fusion splicing (including PM fiber alignment and loss optimization)

• Fiber end capping and high-power handling considerations

• Fiber inspection methods (microscopy, interferometry, or equivalent)

• Strong understanding of contamination control and cleaning methods

• Experience with fiber alignment and optical coupling

• Ability to work effectively in lab and cleanroom environments

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with high-power fiber or laser systems

• Strong documentation and communication skills

• Experience with active alignment systems

• Exposure to reliability testing (thermal cycling, HTOL, damp heat)

• Train junior technicians or operators

• Lead build efforts for critical prototypes or customer deliverables

• Provide feedback into design for manufacturability (DFM)

• Quantifying splice loss, return loss, PER (for PM fibers)

• Use of optical test equipment (OSA, power meters)

Basic data analysis (Excel, JMP)

The anticipated hourly pay for this role ranges from $30.00 to $45.00.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.