Diamond Turning Technician (SPDT Operator)

About The Role This hands-on production role involves setting up, programming, and operating single-point diamond turning (SPDT) machines to manufacture infrared optical components and metal optics for aerospace and defense applications. You'll produce flat, spherical, aspheric, off-axis, and freeform surfaces in infrared crystals and metals, inspecting and correcting processes to meet strict form and surface-finish requirements.

Experienced technicians will have opportunities to contribute to tooling, fixturing, process development, and production methods. Senior technicians may also support complex jobs, train operators, and help establish manufacturing processes.

What You'll Do Machine Setup & Tooling

• Set up machines, workholding, and tooling from start to finish
• Center and secure parts using vacuum chucks or custom fixtures
• Set diamond tools at the correct center and height, perform test cuts, and make adjustments
• Inspect diamond tool edges under a microscope, monitor tool wear, and coordinate replacement or re-lapping
• Maintain machine thermal stability and spindle balance for consistent surface finish

Diamond Turning Operations

• Operate SPDT machines to produce flat, spherical, aspheric, off-axis, and freeform optical surfaces
• Machine infrared materials such as germanium, silicon, and zinc sulfide, plus aluminum, copper, and electroless nickel-plated substrates
• Select tool geometry, feed rates, spindle speeds, and cutting depths to achieve required form and finish
• Perform freeform and non-rotationally symmetric machining using slow-tool-servo or fast-tool-servo methods
• Produce off-axis segments using offset fixturing or servo cutting
• Control coolant mist, chip removal, and thermal stability during extended machining runs
• Diagnose and correct chatter, tool marks, feed-pattern errors, mid-spatial errors, center defects, edge chipping, and burrs

Programming & Form Correction

• Develop and edit part programs from engineering drawings, asphere coefficients, sag tables, and surface point data
• Use DiffSys, NanoCAM, or comparable software to program machining operations
• Measure finished parts, calculate residual form errors, generate compensated tool paths, and re-cut surfaces to spec
• Document proven setups through setup sheets and work instructions for repeatable production

Metrology & Quality

• Measure surface form using interferometers and contact or non-contact profilometers
• Measure surface roughness using white-light interferometry and dimensions using precision gauges
• Interpret power, irregularity, peak-to-valley, RMS, and roughness results against engineering drawings
• Read and interpret optical drawings to ISO 10110 and MIL-PRF-13830B, including surface form, scratch-dig, clear aperture, center thickness, and wedge
• Clean, handle, and package finished optics without damaging optical surfaces
• Record inspection results and promptly report nonconforming conditions

Teamwork & Shop Operations

• Train newer operators and share technical knowledge with the team
• Maintain production records, tool histories, and electronic manufacturing transactions
• Perform routine machine maintenance involving air, oil, and filtration systems
• Help coordinate specialized machine servicing
• Maintain a clean, organized work area in line with 5S, quality-system, and safety requirements

Additional Responsibilities For Senior Technicians

• Lead process development for new materials, geometries, and customer programs, including first-article runs
• Design chucks, fixtures, and workholding methods for complex components
• Qualify new diamond tools and tooling suppliers
• Review new components for manufacturability and help estimate machining time for quotations
• Serve as a technical resource for complex machining challenges
• Help develop operator training programs

What You Bring

• High school diploma or GED (technical-school training, apprenticeship, or associate degree in machining, manufacturing technology, or a related field preferred)
• 3+ years of hands-on single-point diamond turning experience, including machine setup, program editing, optical inspection, and troubleshooting
• Experience setting up and operating Precitech, Moore Nanotechnology, or comparable ultra-precision diamond turning machines
• Working knowledge of CNC program editing, machine coordinate systems, and tool-radius compensation
• Experience machining optical surfaces in infrared crystals, nonferrous metals, or both, to sub-micron form and nanometer-level surface-finish requirements
• Experience centering diamond tools and interpreting interferometer or profilometer results to correct machining processes
• Ability to read and interpret optical drawings, mechanical drawings, specifications, and GD&T
• Strong mechanical aptitude, applied math skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, communicate clearly, and follow standard work procedures
• Basic proficiency with production software and standard computer applications for documentation and data entry

Nice to Have

• 5+ years of diamond turning experience
• Setup and programming experience with DiffSys, NanoCAM, NanoSMART, Mastercam, or comparable software
• Experience machining germanium, silicon, zinc selenide, zinc sulfide/Cleartran, or similar crystalline materials
• Experience with aluminum, copper, brass, electroless nickel-plated substrates, mold inserts, mirrors, or other diamond-machinable metals
• Experience producing aspheric, diffractive, off-axis, or freeform surfaces using slow-tool-servo or fast-tool-servo techniques
• Experience with form-error compensation, tool-waviness compensation, or ductile-regime turning of germanium or silicon
• Working knowledge of ISO 10110, MIL-PRF-13830B, controlled-environment manufacturing, and formal quality-management systems
• Experience training operators or helping establish a new manufacturing area

Working Conditions

• Regular on-site attendance in Keene, NH
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and safely lift or move items up to 40 pounds, with assistance when appropriate
• Ability to work around precision machinery, cutting fluids, cleaning solvents, compressed air, and fragile optical components while using required PPE
• Ability to perform close visual inspections and fine manual work with precision tools and optical components
• Occasional schedule flexibility or overtime may be required to support critical production or equipment needs

Compensation & Employment Conditions

• Full-time, hourly, non-exempt position
• Compensation is based on relevant diamond turning experience, programming ability, and metrology skills
• Applicants must qualify as U.S. persons under applicable ITAR requirements because the position involves access to controlled technical data. This includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals granted asylum or refugee status.