Engineering Technician

Engineering Technician
Location: Chantilly, Virginia
Job Type: Full-Time | Onsite
Work Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off)

Work Environment
100% onsite in Chantilly, VA (Dulles area facilities)
Precision lab / manufacturing / defense environment
Hands-on technical role supporting photonics and system integration
Requires working with sensitive equipment and high-quality standards

The Engineering Technician C supports fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of photonic and precision components within a defense environment. This role requires strong hands-on technical skills, the ability to interpret engineering drawings, and experience working with machining or lab equipment.
Candidates from electronics, mechanical, optical, or manufacturing backgrounds are encouraged, with on-the-job training provided for photonics-specific skills.

Key Responsibilities
Fabrication & Assembly
Perform precision assembly, fabrication, and inspection of components

Execute tasks such as:
Optical fiber splicing and recoating
Photonic circuit assembly
Mechanical builds and soldering

Testing & Integration
Integrate optical and electronic equipment (power meters, laser sources, etc.)
Perform system testing and validation
Assist with calibration procedures and equipment setup

Technical Operations
Interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and technical instructions
Operate machining tools (lathes, mills, CNC)
Maintain lab equipment (wire bonding, photomasking, epoxy systems)

Quality & Maintenance
Ensure preventative maintenance and calibration compliance
Maintain clean, organized, and controlled workspaces
Follow strict quality, safety, and documentation standards

Collaboration
Work closely with engineering and production teams
Communicate progress, issues, and quality metrics to leadership

Must-Have Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent
6+ years of relevant experience OR
Associate's Degree + 2+ years of experience
Active TS/SCI with CI Poly Clearance (Mandatory)
Experience with:
Engineering drawings & technical documentation
Lab / manufacturing / assembly environments
Machining tools (lathe, mill, CNC) or similar

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with photonics or optical systems
Background in electronics, mechanical systems, or precision assembly
Experience in DoD lab / workshop environments
Familiarity with fiber optics, optical alignment, or laser systems

Core Skills
Precision Assembly & Fabrication
Engineering Drawings Interpretation
Lab & Manufacturing Operations
Optical / Photonics Systems (preferred)
Machining & Tooling (CNC, lathe, mill)
Testing & Calibration
Quality Control & Compliance
Technical Troubleshooting

Recruiter Submission Template

Full Name:
Highest Education (HS / Associate / Technical Degree) with Details:
Do you have an active TS/SCI with CI Poly Clearance? (Yes/No – details):
Total Years of Relevant Technical Experience:
Years of Experience in Lab / Manufacturing / Assembly Environment:
Experience interpreting engineering drawings? (Yes/No – details):
Experience with machining equipment (lathe, mill, CNC)? (Yes/No – details):
Experience in precision assembly or fabrication? (Yes/No – details):
Experience with optical / photonics systems? (Yes/No – details):
Experience with soldering / fiber optics / testing equipment? (Yes/No – details):
Experience in DoD or defense lab environment? (Yes/No – details):
Motivation / Reason for interest in this position:
Contact Number:
Email ID:
LinkedIn Profile URL:
Current Location (City, State):
Notice Period (in weeks):
Current Work Authorization Status (US):
Expected Salary:
Are you ready to relocate on your own expenses and comfortable working onsite in Chantilly, VA? (Yes/No):