Lab Operation Technician (Hardware Prototyping & Lab Operations)

Lab Operation Technician (Hardware Prototyping & Lab Operations)
Location: Redmond, WA
Pay Rate: $45 - $50/hr on W2
Contract: 12 Months, with possibility for extension
Benefits: Dental, Health, Vision, PTO
Note: This is a W-2-only position. We do not offer visa sponsorship and cannot accept H-1B, F-1/STEM OPT, 1099, C2C, or C2H arrangements.
 
About the Role
We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Lab Operations Technician to support advanced hardware development and prototyping activities involving augmented reality (AR) and smart glasses technologies. The team develops next-generation prototypes spanning display engines, eyepieces, monocular display assemblies, and fully integrated glasses systems.
 
In this role, you will oversee the daily operation, maintenance, and readiness of specialized prototyping laboratories, precision equipment, and cleanroom environments. You will operate assembly and optical alignment tools, support lens fabrication and display calibration, maintain rapid-prototyping equipment, and ensure laboratory resources meet operational, quality, and safety requirements.
 
The ideal candidate brings strong technical troubleshooting skills, exceptional organizational abilities, and a proactive approach to equipment maintenance, laboratory safety, documentation, and user training. You will collaborate with engineers and cross-functional technical teams in a fast-paced R&D environment where priorities evolve and reliable laboratory operations are essential to prototype development.

Job Responsibilities
Laboratory Operations & Equipment Management

• Operate specialized assembly, alignment, and adhesive dispensing equipment to support AR and smart glasses prototype builds, including display engine alignment stations, MDA and BDA tools, and precision dispensing systems.
• Support optical lens fabrication and prescription (Rx) workflows using lens surfacing, casting, coating, edging, laser marking, and lensometry equipment.
• Operate display calibration and characterization systems, solar simulators, and surface metrology instruments. Prepare fixtures, execute established procedures, collect data, and organize and upload results.
• Operate and maintain rapid-prototyping equipment, including FDM and SLA 3D printers, laser cutters, ultrasonic cleaners, lab ovens, and soldering stations.
• Manage print queues, equipment usage, and post-processing activities to support prototype development timelines.

Equipment Maintenance & Readiness

• Perform preventive maintenance, calibration tracking, first-line troubleshooting, and basic equipment repairs to maintain tool availability and performance.
• Coordinate vendor service, equipment installations, new-tool commissioning, and initial operational training.
• Maintain accurate equipment records, including tool status, location, ownership, calibration schedules, manuals, SOPs, and authorized users.
• Track prototype storage, laboratory assets, materials, and consumables to ensure resources are available when needed.

Laboratory Safety & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements, including chemical handling, safety data sheets (SDS), hazardous waste disposal, fume hood use, and adhesive storage.
• Follow laser safety requirements for Class 3B and Class 4 systems, including interlocks, signage, personal protective equipment, and applicable operating procedures.
• Enforce electrostatic discharge (ESD) controls and cleanroom protocols to protect sensitive components, equipment, and prototype assemblies.
• Monitor inventory levels for adhesives, solvents, lens blanks, printing materials, and cleanroom supplies; coordinate purchasing, replenishment, and receiving.

Documentation, Training & Cross-Functional Support

• Develop, update, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, equipment guides, and laboratory documentation.
• Train engineers and technicians on equipment operation, document competency sign-offs, and maintain training records.
• Support capital equipment procurement by gathering specifications, manuals, SDS documentation, and EHS classification information.
• Assist with laboratory layout planning, equipment relocation, and new-tool integration.
• Partner with engineering teams, machine shop personnel, metrology specialists, and calibration teams to coordinate technical support and route work to the appropriate tools or resources.
• Maintain accurate laboratory asset and equipment information through internal tracking systems and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.

Must Have Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a laboratory, test, or manufacturing technician in an R&D, prototyping, or hardware development environment.
• Associate degree or technical certificate in an engineering or technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting precision laboratory or process equipment.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety practices, including chemical handling, SDS documentation, ESD controls, and laser safety for Class 3B/4 systems.
• Experience following and developing SOPs or work instructions and maintaining accurate equipment, calibration, inventory, and maintenance records.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple requests and shifting priorities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work on-site in a hands-on laboratory environment and collaborate effectively with engineers and technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical or ophthalmic lens processing, including surfacing, casting, coating, edging, lensometry, or optical alignment.
• Familiarity with camera-based or display-based calibration, optical characterization, and precision metrology systems.
• Experience operating and maintaining FDM and SLA 3D printers, laser cutting or marking systems, and related post-processing equipment.
• Previous cleanroom experience and familiarity with precision adhesive dispensing and UV curing processes.
• Soldering skills and experience performing basic electronics rework.
• Background in AR/VR, optics, consumer electronics, display technologies, or advanced hardware prototyping.
• Experience with laboratory inventory or asset management platforms, Jira, or similar tracking tools.
• Familiarity with Python scripting or AI-enabled tools for automating routine laboratory workflows and improving operational efficiency.

 

At Tailored Management, we help people get jobs and take pride in their work, so we better take pride in ours too. Not every company has the opportunity to meaningfully and directly impact individuals in a way that makes their lives tangibly better. To better support our employees, we offer a wide variety of benefit options to support you. We offer:

• Medical Coverage – HDHP, PPO, and Surest plan options
• Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)