Optical Components Procurement Engineer

Optical Components Procurement Engineer 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 Optical Components Procurement Engineer provides technical expertise throughout the outsourced optical component lifecycle, from defining specifications and supporting sourcing decisions through supplier production, incoming inspection, and acceptance. The role partners with Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and suppliers to ensure purchased precision optical components meet Optimax requirements.

The Optical Components Procurement Engineer will:

• Monitor the global precision optics market, identify qualified suppliers and sourcing opportunities, and advise Procurement on outsourcing strategy.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to define product specifications, process requirements, and technical drawings for purchased optical components.
• Support RFQs by ensuring suppliers receive complete, accurate technical requirements; review supplier quotations for feasibility and technical risk.
• Collaborate with Procurement to ensure purchase orders accurately communicate specifications, drawings, inspection requirements, and acceptance criteria.
• Provide technical support throughout the purchase order lifecycle, including supplier clarifications, proposed solutions, manufacturing issues, delivery, and acceptance.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for Quality during incoming inspection; collaborate with Quality Engineering to establish inspection plans and acceptance criteria.
• Participate in supplier qualification, capability assessments, performance reviews, and improvement initiatives addressing quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost, and sourcing risk.
• Visit supplier facilities to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, equipment, process controls, quality systems, and improvement opportunities.
• Attend industry trade shows, technical conferences, and manufacturing events to assess emerging technologies and potential suppliers.
• Build collaborative, trust-based relationships across Procurement, Engineering, Quality, and external supplier teams. Growth in this role is supported by expanding optical engineering expertise, supplier knowledge, cross-functional influence, and contributions to sourcing and quality improvements.

Education Requirements:

• Associate's degree in Optical Technology, Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a closely related technical field required.
• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Photonics, or a related discipline preferred.

Minimum Requirements:

• Strong working knowledge of precision optics, optical components, and relevant manufacturing processes.
• Ability to read, interpret, edit, and draft technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into practical supplier manufacturing and incoming inspection criteria.
• Experience collaborating with engineering, procurement, quality, or external suppliers in a technical manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate technical risks and proposed solutions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build trust across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate technical records, and follow issues through resolution.
• Willingness and ability to travel to supplier sites, conferences, and industry events as business needs require.

Other Skills and Experience:

• Experience with precision optical manufacturing, optical metrology, coatings, tolerancing, and inspection methods preferred.
• Familiarity with CAD software, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and technical drawing revision control preferred.
• Experience with supplier qualification, RFQs, purchase orders, supplier quality, and outsourced component manufacturing beneficial.
• Knowledge of quality management systems, root cause analysis, and supplier performance metrics beneficial.
• Intellectual curiosity, sound technical judgment, and willingness to challenge assumptions and develop new expertise.
• Collaborative, supportive mindset and ability to apply scientific knowledge to practical manufacturing challenges.

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 prolong 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)

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.

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.

If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact our Human Resources team at 585-265-1020.