Argonne

Argonne

Optics Fabrication Machinist

Lemont, IL USA · Contract

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 97 days ago
Customer SupportCommunication

Stay score

odds of building a lasting career here

88Lottery-free
Cap-exempt (no lottery)100
Sponsors year-round90
Entry-level history60
PERM / green-card track50
Fits your clock70

Files H-1B any time — no cap, no lottery. The 2026 weighted-selection rule doesn't touch it, which makes this the strongest structural path for entry-level talent. Pay is often lower, but your odds of staying are dramatically higher.

Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.

Personalize to your clock →

Community outcomes

No reports yet — be the first to help the next applicant.

About the role

  • The position will machine X-ray optical components with various highly customized dimensions, shapes, crystallographic orientations, precisions, and strain/stress tolerance.
  • These components are mainly made from brittle single crystals, such as silicon, germanium, sapphire, etc., but in special cases also from ceramics, metals, etc.
  • Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only.

Responsibilities

  • Under minimal direction, provide advanced technical support towards optical manufacturing and implementation of solutions to complex optical fabrication and testing problems.
  • Direct and/or perform various phases of optical work according to the blueprints, specifications, sketches, and written or verbal instructions from the APS Optics Group and other customers.
  • Complete work order documentation describing jobs performed and enters time spent on customer forms for each job promptly; return documents to customers immediately after the work is completed.
  • Set up, operate, and maintain optics fabrication machine tools, including machining for grinding and polishing.
  • Maintain and update knowledge of materials, developments, and new practices within the field of professions.
  • Perform miscellaneous duties as requested by Shops management.

Requirements

  • Knowledge of and experience in strain-free polishing techniques for crystal optical components used in X-ray synchrotron radiation beamlines.
  • Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
  • Interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and ability to interact with people at all levels both within and outside the laboratory.
  • Basic knowledge of CAD, ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings and tolerancing, and basic dimensional and surface metrology.
  • Experience in CNC machining
  • May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Nice to have

  • Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Compensation

  • Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only.

Company info

  • The Optics Fabrication Machinist role in the X-ray Science Division of the Advanced Photon Source will schedule and fulfill the work of the APS Optics Group and other customers responsibly, promptly and collaboratively.

This listing is sourced directly from Argonne's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.