Principal, Optical Engineering - R&D

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?

Principal I, Optical Engineering (Science/Tech/Engineering Path)

is primarily responsible for managing complex optical engineering projects, including designing, developing, and testing optical systems. You will provide technical guidance, build effective relationships with product development teams, and optimize optical designs while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Specifics include:

This role is on-site in our Lake Forest, CA location and a typical day would include: Manage complex optical engineering projects, designing, developing, and testing optical systems that enhance light manipulation, imaging precision, and material interactions. Provide technical guidance and collaborate with product development teams. Make informed decisions on optical designs, component selection, and performance optimization. Contribute to improving optical system functionality, safety, and manufacturability.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and adhere to GxP regulations by strictly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and ensure rigorous quality control.
• Complete all required training and meet individual job requirements.
• Contribute to the overall compliance of the organization and commit to continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring to Alcon:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
• 5 Years of Relevant Experience

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities. Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!

Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.

• Travel - up to 10% Sponsorship - No Relocation - No Alcon Careers

Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long-term value.

Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short-term and long-term incentive opportunities for eligible roles.

Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well-being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.

The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.

Pay Range $130,900.00 - $169,400.00 Pay Frequency Annual

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.

Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

At Alcon, we are committed to helping people see better. We believe patients should have access to quality eye care regardless of their economic circumstances; however, barriers to good eye health exist for patients in both developed and emerging markets. Alcon develops and manufactures innovative devices to serve the full life cycle of eye care needs. Its surgical group is one of the largest makers of equipment used for cataract removal and laser vision correction. Its consumer products include the well-known Opti-Free line of contact lens solutions and related products. Alcon, which was founded in 1945, sells its products in 180 countries worldwide.