Staff Optical Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

About us:

MicroVision is at the forefront of driving the global adoption of innovative perception solutions, with the goal of making mobility and autonomy safer. Our engineering excellence, based in Washington State, Washington D.C., Hamburg, Germany and Orlando, Florida, enables us to develop and supply integrated lidar hardware and perception software solutions. Our proprietary technologies enhance safety and automation across various industrial applications, including robotics, automated warehouses, and agriculture, and are instrumental in the development of autonomous systems. MicroVision’s core technology, initially developed for the automotive industry, continues to accelerate advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. Building on our history of providing technology to the military segment, our target offerings include semi- and fully autonomous airborne and terrestrial sensor systems. With our solid-state lidar technologies, encompassing FMCW and MEMS-based long-range lidar and flash-based short-range lidar, integrated with our onboard perception software, MicroVision possesses the expertise to deliver safe mobility at the speed of life.

To strengthen our team at the Orlando location, we are looking for a Staff Optical Engineer. As a key member of MicroVision's Optical Systems Engineering team, you will collaborate with various technical teams in the company to design and take into production market defining Automotive LiDAR product.

In this role you will support the design, analysis, and realization of advanced LiDAR optical architectures. This role blends optical component ownership with significant interaction at the optical system level, supporting new product development from concept through early build phases. The engineer in this position will be responsible for defining optical component requirements, performing detailed analysis, and working directly with global optical suppliers to ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, and quality expectations. This role emphasizes strong technical ownership, hands‑on validation, and close collaboration across optical, opto‑mechanical, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams.

Objectives of This Role:

• Own optical component and subsystem definitions within LiDAR architectures
• Translate system‑level performance needs into clear optical requirements and specifications
• Ensure optical designs are robust, tolerant, and manufacturable
• Serve as a technical interface between internal teams and external optical suppliers

• Design and analyze optical components and subsystems using Zemax (OpticStudio)
• Perform optical system analysis, including performance trade studies and sensitivity assessments
• Conduct FRED based non sequential and stray light analysis
• Perform optical tolerance analysis to assess alignment and manufacturing sensitivities
• Support lens design, optimization, and performance evaluation
• Define and document lens requirements, coatings and optical specifications
• Develop and execute optical lab setups for model validation and hardware characterization
• Work closely with global optical suppliers to review designs, specifications, and manufacturing approaches
• Provide technical guidance and review of optical designs and analyses across programs, ensuring consistency, rigor, and best‑practice application
• Collaborate with opto-mechanical engineers to define alignment strategies and tolerances
• Support documentation, reviews, and technical decision making throughout development phases

• 7–15+ years of industry experience in optical engineering with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Optics, Physics or related field. 
• Strong proficiency with Zemax (OpticStudio) for modeling, optimization, and tolerance analysis
• Hands‑on experience with lens design and optical component development
• Demonstrated ability to perform optical system‑level analysis
• Experience defining optical requirements and specifications
• Hands-on experience developing and analyzing solutions using MATLAB, Python, or similar programming tools
• Experience defining and reviewing optical coating specifications
• Hands‑on experience designing and executing optical lab setups
• Experience working with global suppliers on optical components
• Ability to work across modeling, lab validation, and design iteration cycles

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using FRED for stray light and non‑sequential optical analysis
• Experience with laser‑based optical systems
• Background in LiDAR, imaging systems, or active optical sensors
• Familiarity with opto‑mechanical integration and alignment methods
• Experience supporting new product development or early production builds
• Experience interacting directly with optical vendors during development cycles
• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering

MicroVision offers a flexible work schedule that could include a hybrid schedule of onsite and remote work, subject to team and business needs.  Individual work schedules will be at the discretion of management and dependent on role and business needs.  You must live and reside within commuting distance from MicroVision’s office in Orlando, FL. 

We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.  You must be able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Benefits:

MicroVision is proud to offer a comprehensive benefit program including:

• Competitive compensation and equity program
• Choice between an HSA Medical plan with 100% employer-paid premiums for employees and generous contributions or a Buy-Up PPO Medical plan
• Buy-Up PPO Dental plan 100% employer-paid for employees
• Vision coverage 100% employer-paid for employees
• 401(k) plan with company match to help you save for your future (50% of your contributions up to the first 6% of your eligible pay)
• Generous time off package including a flexible vacation program as well as incidental personal/sick days and standard holidays
• Supplemental pay for Parental Leave
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability

MicroVision is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.  MicroVision is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran or any other basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.  Please let us know if you need reasonable accommodation in completing the application, attending and/or participating in an interview or in taking any test required for employment.

MicroVision is an E-Verify participant.  We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.  Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.

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