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What is your role at Monarch Quantum?
As a photonics engineering technician, I’m responsible for bringing engineering products to production by building, testing, aligning, and evaluating laser and optical systems. I work directly with engineering to deliver systems and feedback that directly improve manufacturing, performance, and reliability. What I find most meaningful about the role is that it sits at the intersection of science and skilled craft. Collaborating across optical, electrical, and mechanical engineering disciplines to deliver precise, reliable, cutting-edge products is what makes this work so rewarding.
What makes for a great technician in this pace?
A great technician deeply understands the system and the components that compose it. Know how each piece fits the larger picture because a small deviation in one place can cascade into system wide issues. Make the quality of your work and components a priority.
Our tolerance windows are tight, and not only do you need precision, but the results must be repeatable. Accuracy is how close you are to the target, and precision is about consistently and repeatedly achieving the desired results. Our systems demand we get it right every time. Continuous improvement of your processes is a requirement.
Beyond that, critical thinking is non-negotiable. When something isn’t working, as difficult and complex systems often do, you must pursue the discipline of troubleshooting. Evaluate your variables, record your results, and be persistent. Build a reputation for methodical problem solving.
Finally, learn from others and share what you know. Technical skills compound when they are passed on, and a team that shares lessons learned performs at a higher level than one where knowledge is siloed. Cultivate a mindset of constant development and learning.
What was most critical in developing technical skills?
Exposure to increasingly complex systems was the biggest driver — being stretched gradually into harder problems built my capability in a way no single training experience could. Working across many different laser platforms also broadened my knowledge and intuition; the more variety you encounter, the faster you recognize what problems have in common.
What advice would you give someone for looking to join this field?
Master the fundamentals in optics, laser physics, and electronics. Gaps there will limit you as the work gets more complex. Commit to lifelong learning.
Be coachable. Early in your career, your ability to absorb feedback and improve is one of your greatest assets. Pair that with clear communication — being able to articulate what you’re seeing and what you’ve tried is critical in a collaborative technical environment. Make sure to take process, documentation, and quality seriously. A reputation for precision and accountability is built over time, and it opens doors that technical skills alone won’t.
When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Outside of work, most of my time goes to my family. I have two young children, so home life is full and fast-moving. When I get the chance, I love to ride my motorcycle and explore Southern California. I also love restoring vintage mechanical watches. The results are undeniable and the precision speaks for itself.