Machine Shop Principal Technician/Sr. Specialist

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 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?

As a Principal Technician/Sr. Specialist in the R&D Model Machine Shop in Lake Forest, CA, you will support Mechanical R&D builds for Ophthalmic Instrumentation development, complete machine setups on a wide variety of specialized and production equipment, generate first article/first piece product for inspection and make required adjustments to equipment or programming to maintain compliance with quality standards.

In this role, typical activities will include:

• Supports Mechanical R&D builds for Ophthalmic Instrumentation development.

• Must be a Hands-on Machinist with Surfcam or Mastercam programing experience.

• 10-15 years' experience on 5 axis prototype Okuma mills and Sodick Wire EDM Preferred. 

• 10 years minimum with Surfcam or Mastercam including Surfacing

• Tolerance: Common +/-.002, Must be able to hold +/ when needed

• Balanced experience of programming, setup, and running machines

• Able to interpret blueprints accurately including tight tolerances (Full Knowledge of GD&T).

• Able to perform complete setups and First Piece Inspection with minimal supervision

• Positive attitude

• Attention to detail

• Able to work overtime and weekends when necessary

• Materials: stainless steel, steel, aluminum, plastics

• Complete machine setups on a wide variety of specialized and production equipment. Generate first article/first piece product for inspection. Make required adjustments to equipment or programming to maintain compliance with quality standards.

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings. Work directly with Engineers on Modifications on the fly when needed.

• First shifts. Work Day hours from 6:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. 

• CNC Mill/Wire EDM Programmer / Setup / Machinist

What You'll Bring to Alcon:

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +8 yrs; Assoc.+4 yrs)

• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

• Join Alcon's mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career

• Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off, and much more

• Travel Requirements: None

• Relocation assistance: No

• Sponsorship available: No    

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Alcon's 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 Alcon's 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.