Optical Test Engineer

About Rivet
Rivet is an American company building integrated task systems - fusing hardened hardware with software, sensors, AI, and networking - for industrial workforces and defense personnel. We create capabilities that multiply the effectiveness of every individual and withstand the world's toughest environments.

We serve the people who build, operate, maintain, and defend our way of life. From technicians and engineers to first responders and service members, they embody the hard work, ingenuity, and meritocratic values that drive Western prosperity. Yet too often they are forced to rely on outdated tools that fail under modern pressures. Rivet exists to reset that priority.

At Rivet, you'll join a mission-driven team that fuses disciplines to deliver decisive outcomes where they matter most. Whether shaping our technology, strengthening our partnerships, or building our culture, every role here contributes to equipping the front lines with the modern systems they deserve.

Work Authorization Requirement: Due to the nature of our business and compliance with federal regulations, all candidates must be a "U.S. Person". Upon hire, you will be required to provide documentation verifying your status as a U.S. Citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Summary

As an Optical Test Engineer, you will own the characterization, calibration, and validation of advanced optical sensing and display systems. You'll design and automate experiments to measure system performance, develop calibration procedures and analysis pipelines, and work cross-functionally with optical, electrical, firmware, and systems teams to rapidly improve hardware performance and reliability. This role is highly hands-on and ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys building lab infrastructure and automation tools, and can turn complex experimental data into actionable engineering insights.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute characterization experiments to evaluate optical sensor and display performance, including range, accuracy, resolution, brightness, noise floor, linearity, and field of view
• Develop automated test systems and analysis pipelines for efficient system and component evaluation and calibration
• Develop, implement, and validate calibration algorithms and procedures for intrinsic and extrinsic sensor parameters (e.g., beam pointing, intensity, temperature compensation)
• Build automated test setups and data acquisition pipelines using Python
• Analyze large datasets from sensor characterization campaigns; identify failure modes, performance trends, and areas for improvement
• Maintain detailed lab documentation including test plans, experimental procedures, calibration records, and characterization reports
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, firmware, and systems engineering teams to close the loop between characterization findings and hardware/firmware iterations
• Support bring-up and evaluation of new sensor hardware revisions in a lab environment

Requirements

• B.S., M.S., or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field
• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in sensor characterization, optical systems testing, or related hardware validation roles
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data analysis, and visualization (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib or equivalent)
• Experience with optical measurement equipment (e.g., integrating spheres, optical power meters, beam profilers, oscilloscopes)
• Ability to design controlled experiments and draw statistically sound conclusions from data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to document work clearly and concisely
• Background working in a hardware startup or similarly fast-paced, resource-constrained environment preferred
• Experience supporting transfer of calibration processes to manufacturing/NPI environments preferred

Compensation may vary within the posted range based on relevant experience, skills, education, and other job-related factors. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for equity and other forms of compensation. Eligible employees also receive a competitive benefits package, including unlimited PTO.

Rivet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Certain roles may require U.S. Person status, security clearance eligibility, or other requirements imposed by law or government contract.