Location: Rochester, New York Department: Production Reports to: Production Manager Work arrangement: On-site Travel: 25% Work hours: First shift; occasional overtime, weekend work, or alternate hours may be required based on machine build schedules. Compensation: The target hiring range is generally $64,000–$78,000, depending on relevant experience, education, internal equity, and business needs. This role is eligible for QED's annual performance-based incentive program with a target opportunity of 8% of base pay, as well as a comprehensive benefits package and 401(k) program. About QED Technologies At QED Technologies, we are building what's next. For 30 years, QED has helped customers solve complex challenges in precision optics through advanced fabrication and metrology technologies. Our proprietary solutions support applications across aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, space and astronomy, research, fusion, and other advanced industries. Our work depends on talented people who bring curiosity, precision, collaboration, and ownership to difficult problems. We are building a high-performing culture where people are trusted to make an impact, teams work across boundaries, and continuous improvement is part of how we operate. The Opportunity The Machine Integration Technician plays a key role in bringing QED's precision manufacturing equipment from machine platform to a complete, operational system ready for final qualification. Reporting to the Production Manager, this position is responsible for final assembly, integration, setup, precision alignment, calibration, and functional checkout of complex precision manufacturing equipment. The technician receives a partially completed machine platform and integrates the mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and QED-manufactured components required to complete the machine. This is a hands-on technical role requiring strong mechanical aptitude, precision measurement capability, and systematic troubleshooting skills. The successful candidate works across Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering, Quality, Applications, Supply Chain, and Service to resolve technical issues and deliver machines that are complete, aligned, calibrated, functional, and ready for formal Quality qualification. What You Will Do Machine assembly and integration
- Receive, install, and prepare large machine platforms that require precision leveling and associated alignment procedures.
- Review engineering drawings, bills of material, schematics, work instructions, and machine configuration documentation.
- Install and integrate machine sub-assemblies, guarding, accessories, and ancillary equipment.
- Complete final assembly of internally manufactured and externally supplied subassemblies.
- Install and connect pneumatic, electrical, fluid, and other machine systems as required.
- Verify installed components and assemblies against engineering documentation and configuration requirements.
- Use hand tools, power tools, lifting equipment, overhead cranes, and other manufacturing equipment safely and effectively.
Precision alignment, measurement, and calibration
- Perform precision mechanical alignment and calibration of machine components, axes, and assemblies.
- Set up and use precision measurement equipment including Ballbar calibration, laser based calibration(DMI), precision levels, micrometers, gauges, and related metrology instruments.
- Perform measurements to evaluate machine motion and positioning performance and identify potential geometric or mechanical errors.
- Interpret measurement results and use the data to guide mechanical adjustments and calibration activities to bring the machine into specification.
- Identify conditions requiring mechanical correction, controls compensation, or Engineering support and coordinate resolution with the appropriate technical team.
- Accurately document machine alignment, measurement, and calibration results.
Controls, software, and functional checkout
- Support installation and configuration of machine software, drivers, and control-system components.
- Perform established controls checkout procedures and document results.
- Verify operation of machine functions, sensors, actuators, interlocks, safety systems, and machine cycles.
- Work with Controls Engineering to troubleshoot controls-related issues identified during machine integration.
- Operate completed equipment to verify functionality and readiness for formal qualification.
- Identify and correct assembly, alignment, configuration, calibration, and functional issues prior to turnover to Quality.
- Ensure required machine-build, alignment, measurement, and checkout documentation is complete.
Troubleshooting and continuous improvement
- Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, controls, configuration, and machine-performance issues encountered during integration.
- Use machine behavior and precision measurement data to systematically identify potential causes of problems.
- Work with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Controls Engineering, and other technical resources to resolve issues requiring specialized support.
- Document build issues, rework, and lessons learned.
- Provide feedback on opportunities to improve machine design, manufacturability, assembly methods, work instructions, and build efficiency.
- Support implementation of approved engineering changes and continuous-improvement activities on machines in production.
Machine preparation and shipping
- Support final machine preparation following successful qualification.
- Disassemble, clean, and prepare machine components as required for shipment.
- Protect, secure, and package machine components and accessories in accordance with established requirements.
- Support preparation of startup kits, tooling, ancillary equipment, and related machine components for shipment.
What Success Looks Like
- Machines are assembled and integrated safely, accurately, and in accordance with engineering documentation and established procedures.
- Machine geometry, alignment, and calibration meet established requirements prior to turnover to Quality.
- Ballbar, laser measurement, and other precision alignment activities are performed accurately and documented completely.
- Mechanical, controls, software, and functional issues are identified early and driven to resolution with the appropriate technical teams.
- Completed machines are delivered to Quality complete, operational, and ready for formal qualification.
- Machine-build, alignment, calibration, and checkout records are accurate and complete.
- Build issues and lessons learned are communicated effectively and contribute to improved machine-build processes over time.
- The Production Manager can rely on the Machine Integration Technician to independently execute assigned machine integration activities and escalate technical issues appropriately.
- Be a strong and thoughtful collaborator with the various disciplines involved during the build and test of the machine.
What You Bring
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Five or more years of relevant experience assembling, building, installing, maintaining, aligning, calibrating, or commissioning complex industrial equipment, machine tools, automation equipment, or similar electromechanical systems.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated hands-on troubleshooting capability.
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, bills of material, electrical schematics, and detailed work instructions.
- Experience with mechanical assembly, precision machine alignment, calibration, and equipment setup.
- Experience using precision measurement equipment such as dial indicators, micrometers, calipers, precision levels, or similar instruments.
- Ability to understand and troubleshoot interactions between mechanical, electrical, controls, and software systems.
- Ability to work independently on complex equipment while collaborating effectively with Engineering and other technical functions.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
- Ability to accurately document technical work, measurement results, and machine-build activities.
- Ability to work safely around large industrial equipment and use appropriate lifting and material-handling equipment following required training.
- Ability to regularly stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform hands-on assembly activities and to lift and/or move components consistent with established workplace lifting requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate degree or technical certification in Mechanical Technology, Electromechanical Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, Precision Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience building, integrating, or commissioning CNC machine tools, precision manufacturing equipment, semiconductor equipment, optical manufacturing equipment, automation systems, or other complex capital equipment.
- Hands-on experience with Ballbar systems and laser interferometers or comparable laser-based machine measurement systems used for precision machine alignment, calibration, and performance verification.
- Experience interpreting Ballbar and laser DMI measurement results and translating those results into machine adjustments or troubleshooting actions.
- Working knowledge of industrial controls, PLC-controlled equipment, servo systems, sensors, and machine safety circuits.
- Experience installing or configuring machine software and industrial control-system components.
- Experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and controls-related equipment issues.
- Experience working in a low-volume, high-complexity or engineered-to-order manufacturing environment.
Work Location The primary work location for this position is QED Technologies in Rochester, New York. This is an on-site manufacturing position and does not offer remote work. Applicants must reside within commuting distance of the Rochester location. Relocation will not be provided for this role. Equal Opportunity and Accommodations QED Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Due to our ITAR status, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. All applicants must be permanently authorized to work in the United States and will not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. QED Technologies provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. If you require an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Human Resources. Background Check Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law. Export-Control Notice This position may involve access to information, technology, software, or products controlled under U.S. export-control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations. Where applicable, QED may need to determine whether an export license or other authorization is required for a candidate to access controlled information.
