Engineering Technician
Alcon · Lake Forest, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Medical devices
- Posted
- 18 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Alcon (medical devices) in Lake Forest, CA. , a typical day will include.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$167k.
Median of the low and high ends of 117 live postings that list pay, out of 320 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 319 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Typical $111k–$157k, from 105 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 53%
- New product launch 51%
- Root cause 40%
- Automation 35%
- Machining 29%
- CATIA / NX 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Alcon
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Alcon in Lake Forest
2 other open roles at this site.
- Electromechanical Manufacturing Technician I · Reliability · Technician
- Engineering Technician, Research & Development Process & Product Design · Process
Full description from AlconAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
In this role, a typical day will include
- ◆Providing hands-on technical support for product design and development processes by assisting in testing, documentation, and compliance activities, ensuring accurate documentation of test results.
- ◆Following established protocols to perform routine product evaluations, maintain laboratory equipment, and collect data to support research efforts.
- ◆Assisting in troubleshooting product design issues and maintaining compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
- ◆Developing foundational knowledge in product testing, materials analysis, and technical reporting to contribute to the overall development and validation of new products.
Preferred experience
- ✓Prior engineering or engineering technician experience, specifically in testing, product design, fixture development, and product assembly/rework support, ideally for medical devices.
- ✓Ability to write and execute Protocols and/or Test Methods a Plus
- ✓Experience working with electro-mechanical and/or opto-mechanical devices a plus.
- ✓Experience working with Pre-Clinical/Wet Lab Sample preparation a plus.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
This is an onsite position based out of our Lake Forest, CA Main Office
At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact on the lives of our patients and customers.
We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. As an Engineering Technician , you will be part of the Research & Development (R&D) Process & Product Design team, which interfaces regularly with all R&D engineering departments and stages for the development of medical device product. This includes performing or modifying tests with fixtures, which may be developed internally for the execution of approved test methods. Typical areas of expertise that interface with the products may be: fluidics, mechanics, optics, electronics, interface programming, and lasers.
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
- •Collaborate with teammates to share standard processes and findings as work evolves
- •See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
- •Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
- •Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.
Alcon Careers
See your impact at alcon.com/careers
ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker
If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.
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Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long‑term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short‑term and long‑term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well‑being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.
Pay Range
36.37 - 47.07
Pay Frequency
Hourly