R&D lab technician

We are seeking hands-on Optical Lab Operations & Test Support Technician to manage the daily operation of our optical systems test laboratory in San Jose. This individual will be responsible for general lab organization for our team, equipment management, test setup and modification, documentation, calibration and repair of equipment, IT support coordination, and continuous improvement of our lab space and processes. Over time, this role can grow into a test technician position with responsibility for executing optical and electrical characterization of next-generation optical networking products. Required Qualifications Associate's degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience Hands-on experience working in a lab environment Strong organizational and project coordination skills Familiarity with lab equipment, instrumentation, and inventory management Basic networking and IT troubleshooting skills Experience managing multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously Strong written and verbal communication skills Preferred Qualifications Experience in optical communications, photonics, telecommunications environments Familiarity with optical fiber handling and test equipment Experience with both Windows and Linux systems Basic scripting and test automation experience, e.g. Python Key Responsibilities Manage day to day lab operations and organization Build, modify, and maintain optical and electrical test setups Coordinate lab space allocation and test resource scheduling Support engineering team with setup integration, troubleshooting, and configuration changes Coordinate calibration schedules and repair for lab equipment Coordinate firewall requests, network access, IP address allocation, and lab computer deployments/upgrades Track lab assets and equipment utilization Generate purchase requests for laboratory equipment and supplies Maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient lab environment Organizing lab equipment and consumables Develop and maintain equipment inventories, asset tracking systems, and storage organization Create and maintain lab documentation Coordinate receipt, installation, and deployment of new equipment Manage consumables inventory and reorder processes Identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency and utilization Develop standardized setup practices and documentation Implement processes that reduce setup time and improve test repeatability Support lab expansion and infrastructure upgrade projects