Senior Mechanical Engineer I

At Alcon were passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25000 associates we innovate fearlessly champion progress and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us

Alcon is looking to hire a Senior Mechanical Engineer I. This role is responsible for developing optimizing and sustaining precision machining processes for ophthalmic optical lenses using ultra-precision lathes. This role ensures high-quality repeatable manufacturing of optical components that meet strict dimensional surface finish and optical performance requirements. The engineer works in a cross-functional team with R&D manufacturing quality and suppliers to support new product introductions and continuous process improvements in a regulated medical device environment. This will be an on-site position in Belmont CA and

A typical day will include:

• Support and optimize lathe-based machining processes for ophthalmic lenses including spherical and toric geometries
• Define cutting strategies tooling selection (e.g. diamond tools) feeds speeds and setups to achieve optical and cosmetic specifications
• Support process characterization studies focusing on surface roughness form accuracy and tool wear
• Establish robust process windows and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Provide day-to-day technical support to production teams for precision lathe operations
• Troubleshoot machining issues related to surface defects dimensional drift tool life or machine performance
• Drive yield improvement cycle time reduction and scrap reduction initiatives
• Support equipment installation commissioning calibration and preventive maintenance
• Ensure machining processes comply with medical device quality systems (e.g. ISO 13485 GMP)
• Collaborate with Quality Engineering to support nonconformance investigations root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Ensure full documentation and traceability of process changes
• Assist in translating optical designs into manufacturable machining processes
• Support prototype builds pilot runs and scale-up to high-volume production
• Participate in design for manufacturability and design for process reviews
• Analyze process data and metrology results to drive continuous improvement
• Apply statistical process control and DOE methodologies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Attention to detail and commitment to product quality
• Clear technical communication both written and verbal
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM software and manufacturing documentation tools

What youll bring to Alcon:

• Bachelors Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school 10 yrs; Assoc.6 yrs; M.S.0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read write understand and communicate in English
• 2 Years of Relevant Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience machining ophthalmic lenses or optical components
• Familiarity with optical materials and coatings
• Experience with ultra-precision equipment (e.g. Nanotech Optoform DAC lathes)
• Knowledge of optical inspection methods (interferometry profilometry form measurement)
• Lean Six Sigma certification or similar continuous improvement training

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE:

• See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
• Join Alcons mission to provide outstanding innovative products and solutions to improve sight improve lives and grow your career!
• Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health life retirement flexible time off and much more.

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Alcons Total Rewards programs are designed to align to incentives with business goals encourage the right values and behaviors and deliver long-term value. The first layer of our rewards program is compensation. We offer a combination of fixed pay and variable pay which includes short-term incentives and long-term incentives for eligible population. Our benefits program provides security for life events through life and disability insurance supports savings for retirement promotes good health and well-being and supports associates and their families during times of illness. To learn more about Alcons Corporate Social Responsibility including our Total Rewards click here

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Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment hiring training promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race color religion gender national origin age sexual orientation gender identity marital or veteran status disability or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or in order to perform the essential functions of a position please send an email to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.