EagleJobs
CSI Work-Based Learning Center
CNC Optical Technician
Employer: Mountain West Optical
Employer URL: www.mountainwestoptical.com
Category: Manufacturing
Location:
Twin Falls , Idaho
Compensation: $16-18 per hour
Type: Part-time Jobs
Job Schedule: M-F, 20 hours per week
Apply before: July 31, 2026
Job Description and Requirements
Work alongside our master lab technician, who has more than 30 years of experience in lens fabrication. Over time, you'll learn to:
*Operate CNC lens generators that grind prescription curves into lens blanks
*Run lens surfacing and polishing equipment to finish lenses to optical clarity
*Set up jobs in our lab software, reading prescriptions and converting them into machine instructions
*Operate edging equipment that cuts lenses to fit specific frame shapes
*Apply anti-reflective (AR) and specialty coatings
*Inspect finished lenses for optical quality, prescription accuracy, and cosmetic defects
*Maintain equipment, manage lens inventory, and keep the lab organized and running
*Operate CNC lens generators that grind prescription curves into lens blanks
*Run lens surfacing and polishing equipment to finish lenses to optical clarity
*Set up jobs in our lab software, reading prescriptions and converting them into machine instructions
*Operate edging equipment that cuts lenses to fit specific frame shapes
*Apply anti-reflective (AR) and specialty coatings
*Inspect finished lenses for optical quality, prescription accuracy, and cosmetic defects
*Maintain equipment, manage lens inventory, and keep the lab organized and running
Qualifications
*Enrolled at College of Southern Idaho (any program welcome; especially strong fit for Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Engineering, or related programs)
*Detail-oriented and patient — precision manufacturing rewards people who care about getting it exactly right
*Mechanically inclined — you enjoy taking things apart, understanding how they work, and putting them back together. Our equipment requires routine maintenance and occasional troubleshooting, and we want someone who finds that satisfying rather than frustrating
*Comfortable working with your hands and with precision equipment
*Reliable, professional, and willing to ask questions
*Able to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods
*No prior optical or manufacturing experience required — we train from the ground up
*Detail-oriented and patient — precision manufacturing rewards people who care about getting it exactly right
*Mechanically inclined — you enjoy taking things apart, understanding how they work, and putting them back together. Our equipment requires routine maintenance and occasional troubleshooting, and we want someone who finds that satisfying rather than frustrating
*Comfortable working with your hands and with precision equipment
*Reliable, professional, and willing to ask questions
*Able to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods
*No prior optical or manufacturing experience required — we train from the ground up
Benefits
*Flexible scheduling around your academic calendar — we work around midterms, finals, clinical rotations, required class commitments, and other academic obligations without penalty
*Free annual eye exam at Mountain West Optical
*One free pair of glasses per year — frames and prescription lenses crafted in our own lab
*Mentorship from a master lens technician with 30+ years of experience in precision optical fabrication
*Hands-on experience with CNC equipment and precision manufacturing — transferable skills valued in optics, aerospace, medical device, and other precision industries
*Resume, reference, and recommendation letter support for students continuing into four-year programs or skilled manufacturing careers
*Opportunity to increase hours during summer and school breaks if you want more experience and income when school is lighter
*Potential for cross-training into adjacent areas of the business — insurance and billing operations, patient-facing retail, or business operations — for students who demonstrate strong performance and interest
*Free annual eye exam at Mountain West Optical
*One free pair of glasses per year — frames and prescription lenses crafted in our own lab
*Mentorship from a master lens technician with 30+ years of experience in precision optical fabrication
*Hands-on experience with CNC equipment and precision manufacturing — transferable skills valued in optics, aerospace, medical device, and other precision industries
*Resume, reference, and recommendation letter support for students continuing into four-year programs or skilled manufacturing careers
*Opportunity to increase hours during summer and school breaks if you want more experience and income when school is lighter
*Potential for cross-training into adjacent areas of the business — insurance and billing operations, patient-facing retail, or business operations — for students who demonstrate strong performance and interest
Next Steps
Email your resume and a brief note to tyson@mountainwestoptical.com. In the note (a paragraph is fine — no formal cover letter needed), tell us:
*What draws you to precision manufacturing or working with your hands
*What you're studying at CSI
*Your general availability (days of the week, afternoons vs. evenings)
We'll respond to every application, and we aim to schedule interviews within one to two weeks of receiving your materials.
*What draws you to precision manufacturing or working with your hands
*What you're studying at CSI
*Your general availability (days of the week, afternoons vs. evenings)
We'll respond to every application, and we aim to schedule interviews within one to two weeks of receiving your materials.