Optical Engineer

A rapidly growing Series A technology company is developing next-generation metal recycling technology designed to address the global shortage of high-quality recycled materials. Its proprietary technology uses advanced optical sensing and laser-based sortation to separate mixed scrap metal into pure alloys, enabling recycled materials to be reused at quality comparable to virgin material.

Alongside its recycling technology, the company is developing computer vision and software products for the recycling industry, including systems that help scrap yards accurately assess incoming loads and detect fraud in real time.

We are looking for an Optical Engineer with 3+ years of hands-on experience to own the optical path from pulsed laser through spectrometer. You will be responsible for optimizing the optical system that enables laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to identify and separate metal alloys. This is a highly hands-on role where optical performance directly impacts the quality of the company's downstream processing and data systems.

This is a 100% on-site position in San Francisco , five days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and optimize the complete LIBS optical chain , including laser excitation, beam delivery, collection optics, and spectrometer coupling.
• Optimize optical performance to maximize signal-to-noise ratio, photon counts, and shot-to-shot consistency .
• Select, integrate, align, and tune pulsed laser systems, mirrors, lenses, optical coatings, and fiber-coupling components.
• Develop robust optical alignment and calibration procedures that maintain performance under vibration, heat, dust, and other conditions associated with industrial production environments.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical and firmware engineers to ruggedize optical assemblies for deployment on live production conveyor lines .
• Experiment with optical configurations, coatings, collection geometries, and other system parameters to continuously improve data quality.
• Diagnose and resolve optical performance issues across both laboratory setups and production systems.
• Help transition optical systems from bench prototypes into reliable, repeatable industrial hardware.

Key Qualifications:

• 3–12 years of hands-on optical engineering experience working with laser systems and spectrometers.
• Proven experience building and aligning pulsed laser and spectrometer optical systems , including beam delivery, collection optics, and fiber coupling.
• Experience with LIBS, plasma spectroscopy, laser-induced emission , or closely related laser spectroscopy technologies.
• Strong hands-on experience with laser alignment, optical calibration, and system integration .
• Experience selecting and integrating optical components including lasers, mirrors, lenses, coatings, fibers, and spectrometers.
• Understanding of Class 4 laser safety , including appropriate enclosures, interlocks, and operating procedures.
• Python experience for sensor data analysis, experimentation, and system characterization .
• BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics , or a closely related discipline.
• Strong practical engineering instincts and a willingness to work directly with hardware, optical benches, instrumentation, and production equipment.
• High-agency approach to engineering, with the ability to build and improve systems from scratch with minimal direction.
• Experience working in a high-performance hardware environment, ideally within a technology company developing and deploying physical products.
• Genuine interest in industrial manufacturing and building critical physical infrastructure .

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