Overview
Precision Optical Polisher Jobs in Sarasota, FL at Confidential
Company Overview
We are a U.S.-based precision manufacturer producing high-precision components for demanding industries, including defense, aerospace, industrial, and medical markets. Our work involves complex, tight-tolerance parts where quality, repeatability, and reliability are essential.
We operate in an ISO 9001:2015 manufacturing environment and support long-term customers whose applications require exceptional attention to detail, consistent processes, and dependable delivery.
U.S. Citizenship Requirement: This position supports programs subject to U.S. government regulations and customer contractual obligations. Therefore, candidates must be U.S. citizens to be eligible for employment.
Position Overview
- The ideal candidate has strong conventional polishing fundamentals and the ability to consistently achieve optical specifications with minimal oversight. This role requires sound judgment, process discipline, and a willingness to support repeatable methods through clear documentation and practical knowledge-sharing. As we continue expanding our polishing capabilities, this position will play an important role in strengthening process consistency, quality, and technician development across the department.
Key Responsibilities
- Set up and operate conventional grinding and polishing machines for precision optical components, running jobs independently from setup through final inspection
- Perform CNC-assisted and conventional polishing operations to achieve required surface figure and finish specifications
- Achieve production optical quality standards including power, irregularity, scratch/dig, wedge, and surface finish — consistently and without constant supervision
- Select and adjust process parameters — tool type, speed, pressure, abrasive, and polishing compound — based on job requirements and material behavior
- Recognize material-specific characteristics that affect the grinding and polishing process and adjust approach accordingly
- Support ramp-up on newly acquired polishing equipment as the shop expands capacity; willingness to be trained on new machine types is essential
- Use precision metrology equipment — including interferometers and autocollimators — to measure, verify, and document surface quality at key production stages
- Perform in-process and final inspections; identify non-conformances early and take corrective action before escalating cost
- Interpret optical and mechanical drawings and work instructions accurately; flag drawing ambiguities before starting work
- Maintain production logs, inspection records, and quality documentation in accordance with shop and ISO 9001:2015 requirements
- Share practical knowledge with less-experienced polishing technicians through hands-on guidance and best-practice support
- Document setup procedures, process parameters, tooling selections, and polishing recipes in a clear, standardized format usable by others
- Help build and refine standard work instructions and internal training materials — reducing dependency on undocumented individual knowledge
- Collaborate with production and quality personnel to drive yield improvements and reduce scrap on high-value components
- Handle precision optical components with appropriate care at all times — breakage on high-value materials has direct financial consequences
- Follow all applicable safety and material-handling procedures; maintain a clean, organized work environment consistent with ISO 9001:2015 standards
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in precision optics grinding and polishing — this means fabricated optical components for industrial, defense, aerospace, or scientific applications, not eyeglass or window work
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with conventional polishing machines and processes, including the ability to set up and run your own jobs
- Ability to independently achieve tight surface figure and finish specifications, including scratch/dig, power, irregularity, and wedge
- Experience using interferometers or equivalent optical metrology tools to measure and verify surface quality
- Ability to read and interpret optical drawings and specifications accurately
- Experience training, guiding, or mentoring less experienced technicians in a production environment
- Strong process discipline and attention to detail — you understand that scrap on precision optical components has real, direct cost consequences
- Willingness to document what you know and actively contribute to building repeatable, standardized processes
- Self-directed and comfortable managing competing priorities in a busy production environment with minimal oversight
- Open to learning new machine types as the shop’s equipment base grows
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with both CNC-assisted and conventional (pitch or lap) polishing methods
- Experience polishing specialty or non-glass optical materials
- Familiarity with double-sided polishing machines or planetary polishers
- Experience in a defense, military, or ISO-regulated optical manufacturing environment
- Background with glass optics polishing — we regularly bring in experienced glass opticians and provide material-specific training
- Experience developing or contributing to written standard work instructions or training documentation
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary is based on experience
- Health insurance
- Paid time off per company policy
- Paid holidays per company policy
- Stable, long-term opportunity in a growing precision manufacturing environment
- Hands-on technical role where your expertise supports production quality, process documentation, and department capability
Other Duties
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and is not a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities required. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs, operational priorities, and organizational growth. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties at any time.
Equal Opportunity Employer
- We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
- Employment is subject to verification of work authorization in accordance with applicable law.
- This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination.
- U.S. Citizenship Requirement: This position supports programs subject to U.S. government regulations and customer contractual obligations. Therefore, candidates must be U.S. citizens to be eligible for employment.
Benefits
American Photonics offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
- Competitive hourly pay based on experience
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
American Photonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
U.S. Citizenship Requirement: This position supports programs subject to U.S. government regulations and customer contractual obligations. Therefore, candidates must be U.S. citizens to be eligible for employment.
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you a U.S. citizen? (Required due to federal government regulations and customer contractual requirements)
Work Location: In person
Title: Precision Optical Polisher
Company: Confidential
Location: Sarasota, FL
Category:
