Engineering Team Lead - Machine Build Group

• Engineering Team Lead - Machine Build Group Minimum 40 hrs/week; overtime as needed

Optimax is experiencing exciting growth and expanding our team! Whether you are starting your career or looking for a new challenge, we offer a dynamic work environment, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to contribute to creating cutting-edge optics for a wide range of industries. Apply now and start your career journey with Optimax!

A unique corporate culture combined with a dynamic work environment:

At Optimax, we build lenses that power cutting-edge technologies in aerospace, defense, and consumer electronics. Our optics help shape breakthroughs that benefit humanity and protect our freedom. We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation and teamwork thrive. We are looking for motivated individuals who are eager to learn, grow, and contribute to impactful projects.

Job Summary and Essential Job Duties The Machine Build Group Team Lead provides technical and people leadership for the team of engineers and technicians responsible for machine design and build, equipment integration, and improvements to manufacturing and R&D equipment at Optimax. The role combines hands-on mechanical and electrical engineering with project coordination, team development, and oversight of equipment projects from early requirements through installation and commissioning.

Through On the Job Training (OJT) and utilization of prior experience, the Machine Build Group Team Lead:

• Provide hands-on engineering and technical direction for the design, modification, assembly, integration, and testing of manufacturing and R&D equipment.
• Develop and review mechanical designs and drawings, electrical schematics, control panel layouts, component selections, bills of materials, and specifications using engineering design software.
• Coordinate electrical, mechanical, controls, and software activities to ensure equipment functions as an integrated system.
• Guide electrical assembly, wiring, controls integration, and machine debugging; investigate complex equipment issues and implement corrective actions.
• Review designs and completed installations for conformance to project requirements, applicable codes, and operational and safety standards.
• Track project milestones, identify technical and schedule risks, and communicate progress, resource conflicts, and decisions requiring escalation.
• Coordinate suppliers, contractors, and internal partners to support machine builds, equipment upgrades, installation, and commissioning.

Advancement through the Machine Build Group Team Lead ranks is attained via increasing levels of education, experience, industrial skills, math skills, computing skills, responsibility and leadership potential and effectiveness.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.

Skills and Specifications:

• Demonstrated experience designing, integrating, troubleshooting, and commissioning mechanical and electrical systems for industrial machinery or automated equipment.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical projects and coaching engineers or technicians; prior team leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of electrical schematics, control panels, industrial wiring, component selection, and electrical safety practices.
• Experience with machine controls, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, and motion control systems.
• Ability to assess complex technical issues, interpret test data, and develop practical engineering solutions.
• Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and explain technical decisions to varied audiences.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and collaborate across electrical, mechanical, and software disciplines.
• Experience with mechatronics, machine building, and optical fabrication or thin film coating equipment preferred.

Work Requirements:

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch: and talk and hear.
• The job may involve prolonged periods of sitting/standing.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.

Work Environment:

• This position works in a manufacturing environment. The noise level can vary from quiet to loud frequencies.
• May involve the use of oils and solvents.
• Generally works in a clean environment and works to maintain the environment as such.
• May require area specific safety training
• The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes
• May be assigned to various production areas as needs require.

Compensation & Benefits:

Optimax offers competitive compensation based on experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bonus: 25% Monthly Profit Sharing
• Tuition Assistance: Support for continuing education
• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision options
• 401(k): Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and paid holidays
• Other Benefits: Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Optimax is committed to offering equal opportunity for all candidates. We encourage you to apply regardless of background, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Optimax will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

ITAR Compliance:

Employment at Optimax Systems, Inc. is subject to export control compliance requirements, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) issued by the United States Department of State, Department of Defense Trade Controls, and the Export Administration Regulations. Learn more about the ITAR here. To meet export control compliance requirements for this position, an applicant must be a “U.S. Person” as defined by applicable regulations or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Person” includes a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee. If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact our Human Resources team at 585-265-1020.