Sr. Optical Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

About the Company:

At SureFire, our mission is to build the best illumination tools, suppressors, and tactical products no matter the cost to enhance the safety and performance of those who go into harm's way on our behalf. We also provide these same, no-compromise products to our civilian customers who demand the ultimate in quality, innovation, and performance. We strive to continuously expand our business, product line, workforce, and expertise to preserve our place as the premier provider of these cutting-edge products. To achieve this, we will continually expand the depth and quality of the SureFire brand by refining, expanding, and enhancing our product line, and always aspiring to improve our service and professional relationships. We nurture this culture of excellence in everything we do, and treat everyone we deal with employees, customers, and vendors in a fair and ethical manner. We're proud of the quality we produce and the people who produce it, and we're looking for talented individuals who want to make a real impact.

About the Role:

As a Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer in the Optical Systems department, you will

bridge optical design and production by owning design, verification, tolerance analysis, and metrology definition while driving the transition of optical systems from prototype to scalable manufacturing. You will define how designs are measured, toleranced, and validated, then partner with Optomechanical, Metrology, and Quality Engineering to bring them into production-ready processes. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, you will provide technical expertise to solve challenging engineering problems and optimize optical design and manufacture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize optical components and systems.
• Conduct tolerance and sensitivity analysis to define allowable part movement/tilt based on final image performance specifications (e.g., MTF, image quality).
• Define verification strategy and methodology to confirm optical designs meet performance requirements.
• Partner with Metrology Engineering to define measurement approaches and specifications for validating optical performance in production.
• Collaborate with Optomechanical Engineering on alignment strategy, mounting, and fabrication-ready specs.
• Lead the transition of optical designs from prototype to production, including scale-up execution for new or transferred processes.
• Support DVT execution, ensuring equipment and process readiness.
• Provide process input to DFMEA/PFMEA (identifying failure modes).
• Document design intent, tolerance budgets, sensitivity analysis, and simulation results for cross-functional use.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Maintain good attendance and punctuality.
• Maintain a positive and respectful attitude; cooperate with co-workers, management, internal and external customers, etc.
• Execute daily process improvement using lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Maintain work area by the use of 6S principles.
• Work safely at all times and report any unsafe conditions or injuries to your supervisor or manager immediately.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Competencies - To perform the job successfully, the candidate should demonstrate the following:

1. Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.
2. Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
3. Written Communication / Oral Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information; Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
4. Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback.
5. Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
6. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
7. Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Promotes a harassment-free environment.
8. Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
9. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
10. Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
11. Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
12. Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated experience in optical design, simulation, and tolerance/sensitivity analysis.
• Demonstrated experience supporting manufacturing/process engineering or NPI transitions.
• Working knowledge of image performance metrics (MTF, aberrations, radiometry).
• Familiarity with statistical process tools (DOE, SPC).
• Proficiency in Zemax for optical design and simulation.
• Proficiency in ray tracing and physical optical analysis.
• Proficiency in Code V (preferred).
• Hands-on experimental/lab verification experience (highly preferred).
• Stray-light analysis experience (highly preferred).
• STOP-analysis (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) experience (preferred).
• Programming/scripting (MATLAB, Python) for analysis automation.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification (preferred).
• Experience in the optomechanical industry (highly preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects independently.
• Self-starter and team player who possesses the ability to research and effectively resolve technical issues.
• Must have technical writing skills necessary to generate product evaluations and test reports.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline (Optics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering) and at least 5 years relevant work experience preferred.

Mathematical Skills

• Calculus:
  • Advanced proficiency in utilizing calculus to solve problems gained through taking more than three college level courses.

Computer Skills

• Must be proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Knowledge of drafting programs is a plus.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• On-site presence required for real-time equipment operation, hands-on production oversight, and safety supervision
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Pay Range
The hiring range for this role is dependent upon experience. The hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements, and geographic location.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.