Jack Stafford, SCCC Optics Technology Program Supervisor
Jack Stafford has built a remarkable career shaping the future of optics technology—and he wants to cultivate the same excitement in a new generation of technicians. Stafford, Optics Technology Program Supervisor at Sussex County Community College (SCCC) in New Jersey, is helping students develop the skills needed to build careers of their own. He was a student himself when Stafford’s own career trajectory changed.
“I had started at Stevens Institute of Technology as a computer science major,” Stafford says. “But it wasn’t until I took a modern optics course that I discovered an interest in optics technology and switched majors to engineering physics with a concentration on applied optics.”
He was surprised and fascinated by the ubiquity of optics in daily life.
“I was amazed by the fact that it was so prevalent everywhere and supported so many other fields and industries. A lot of people don’t realize how often they use optics every day,” Stafford says. “It seemed like the possibilities were endless.”
As the supervisor of SCCC’s Optics Technology Program, Stafford’s workweek is a blend of teaching, lab management, and industry collaboration.
Instructor, Matt-DeBree trains students in the optics technology lab.
Student, Jake Romanelli, works in the optics technology lab.
“Every day is different,” he says. “One day I’m in the classroom teaching. Another day I’m in the lab managing machines. Then I might be meeting with an industry partner or visiting a school for outreach. It’s really dynamic, which keeps things exciting.”
Stafford takes pride in contributing to the greater good. Over his career, he’s worked on groundbreaking projects — from products involved in space exploration to devices that cure brain diseases.
“We train people to be optical technicians, but there’s so much more you can do as your interests develop over time,” he says.
One of the most rewarding parts of Stafford’s role is witnessing students’ “lightbulb moments.”
“It’s different for different people. Everyone has different interests and skills they’re looking to use or things they find fascinating,” Stafford says. “But one of the lightbulb moments for people is when they operate a machine in a lab, like a spectrometer, and they say, ‘Wow, that’s really cool stuff, tell me more.”
Optical technicians are crucial to the future
There’s enormous opportunity for skilled optics technicians. There’s also enormous demand. As tech-dependent industries grow, the need for trained optics professionals is greater than ever—and the future is headed here fast.
“Space exploration, AI, sustainability—these technologies are driving the future,” Stafford says. “The research being done now is going to trickle down to real-world products, and we’ll need people to produce them. For every engineer, we’re going to need ten technicians to produce the parts.”
“But that’s also why this field is so approachable,” he says. “There’s something for everybody.”
Optics technician at Thorlabs, Newton, NJ.
Looking ahead
Stafford sees boundless opportunities for career growth in optics, and he encourages anyone curious about the field to visit SCCC’s campus. He encourages industry partners and educators to help spread the word about the program.
“Our doors are always open,” he says. “In a field that ranges from consumer tech to environmental work to outer space, there’s always something new and exciting to talk about.”
Off the clock
Outside of work, Stafford enjoys spending time with his three children, often heading outdoors for hiking and biking adventures.
“I have three kids and they love hanging out with Dad. We love getting outside,” he says.
“And I’m a big foodie. I love to cook. And I’m really into the sustainable food chain—eating locally and eating healthy. I’m also a commercial drone pilot. I do aerial photography.”
SCCC program expands
As the optics field grows rapidly, Sussex County Community College (SCCC) is expanding its Optics Technology Program including a 2,500-square-foot expansion of its Optics Technology Center in Newton, N.J., funded by a State Bond Act grant. The expansion is set for completion in October 2025. SCCC was the first community college to partner with AmeriCOM in 2021.
The new Optics Center exterior renderings from HQW Architects.
The Optics Center interior rendering.