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.
Apply directly at Argonne →Create a free account for alerts like thisView Argonne immigration profile
This listing is sourced directly from Argonne's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.