Staff Optical Engineer

Staff Optical Engineer

Nova Biomedical is seeking a Staff Optical Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, verification, and validation of optical and optical-sensing subsystems used in biomedical and diagnostic devices.

This role will provide advanced technical expertise and project-level leadership across optical imaging, spectroscopy, sensor architecture, and opto-mechanical design. The Staff Optical Engineer will collaborate across related mechanical, electrical, software, fluidic, analytical, quality, and manufacturing interfaces to support new and next-generation instrument platforms.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience developing optical subsystems from design input through prototype testing, verification, and product-development support. This individual must be able to solve complex technical problems independently while guiding cross-functional engineering contributors and less-experienced engineers.

Responsibilities:

• Collect design inputs and translate product and system requirements into clear optical subsystem requirements.
• Create and maintain design-output documentation for optical subsystems used in new and next-generation instrument platforms.
• Lead or support optical subsystem architecture for imaging, spectroscopy, illumination, detection, and optical-sensing applications.
• Define optical interfaces with mechanical, electrical, fluidic, software, disposable sensor, and analytical subsystems.
• Design, model, prototype, characterize, and optimize optical paths, illumination and detection methods, opto-mechanical assemblies, imaging systems, and spectroscopic measurement approaches.
• Select and evaluate optical components based on system performance, reliability, manufacturability, and product requirements.
• Plan and execute optical testing, characterization studies, tolerance evaluations, Design of Experiments, verification protocols, and performance investigations.
• Demonstrate through testing and analysis that optical subsystems meet established design and performance requirements.
• Support feasibility studies, proof-of-concept builds, prototype development, and technical risk-reduction activities.
• Support optical subsystems throughout product development, design transfer, production, and sustaining engineering.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Hardware, Chemistry, Software, Quality, Manufacturing, Applications, Service, vendors, and program leadership.
• Investigate and resolve development, production, and on-market performance issues related to optical subsystem design or operation.
• Apply structured troubleshooting and root-cause analysis methods to complex optical and system-level issues.
• Contribute technical input to design reviews, failure mode and effects analyses, risk-management activities, and product-development decisions.
• Maintain clear, complete, and audit-defensible technical documentation throughout research and development.
• Prepare and maintain design records, test protocols, test reports, verification evidence, technical summaries, and design history documentation.
• Support the development of robust production methods, alignment processes, test methods, and manufacturing controls for optical subsystems.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to less-experienced engineers.
• Facilitate technical discussions and promote rigorous experimental design, data-driven decision-making, design-control discipline, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Communicate technical findings, design recommendations, risks, and project updates clearly to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related discipline required.
• Master of Science degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• Eight or more years of experience developing optical subsystems for instrumentation, sensors, biomedical systems, diagnostic devices, or medical devices.
• 8 to 12+ of relevant industry and/or applied research experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing optical or sensor subsystems through design input, subsystem design, prototyping, testing, verification, documentation, and cross-functional integration.
• Hands-on optical hardware development experience, including optical path design, illumination and detection approaches, imaging or spectroscopic measurement systems, prototype builds, optical alignment, characterization, and performance testing.
• Experience integrating optical subsystems with mechanical, electrical, software, fluidic, analytical, disposable sensor, manufacturing, and quality-related interfaces.
• Experience leading or supporting engineering verification of optical subsystems.
• Experience contributing to design reviews, failure mode and effects analyses, verification evidence, technical investigations, and product-development decisions.
• Experience maintaining detailed technical documentation throughout all phases of research and development.
• Medical device, biomedical instrumentation, diagnostic device, or regulated product-development experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with medical device design controls, design transfer, production support, and sustaining engineering preferred.
• Strong experimental design, Design of Experiments, data analysis, troubleshooting, and system-characterization skills.
• Ability to interpret technical results and recommend appropriate design improvements.
• Working knowledge of optical design, ray tracing, modeling, data analysis, and engineering tools such as Zemax, TracePro, Python, LabVIEW, SolidWorks, ANSYS, or equivalent tools.
• Experience with opto-mechanical design, tolerance analysis, optical alignment, plastics or engineering polymers, disposable sensor construction, thermal or structural analysis, microfluidics, or precision mechanisms preferred.
• Knowledge of biomedical sensing applications such as blood-gas measurement, hemolysis detection, CO-Oximetry or spectroscopic measurement, fluorescence imaging, immunoassay, hematology, or related diagnostic technologies preferred.
• Strong technical documentation, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional engineering and product-development teams.
• Ability to mentor engineers, facilitate technical discussions, and influence design decisions through data, analysis, and sound engineering judgment.
• Ability to work independently and provide project-level technical leadership when resolving complex design and integration challenges.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Able to stand, walk, and move for extended periods.
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
• Proficiency in operating tools, machinery, or technical equipment.
• Willingness to work in varying environmental conditions (e.g., noise, temperature, equipment).
• Able to bend, reach, stoop, or climb as needed.
• Comfort with performing repetitive physical tasks.
• Capacity to lift and carry up to [25–50] pounds as required.

Why Work for Nova Biomedical

• Flexible Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage
• Competitive 401k company match
• Bonus Program, Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Generous Tuition reimbursement
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Professional development, engagement and events
• Company marketplace for lunch and snacks in our Norwood, MA, Billerica, MA and Westbrook, ME offices
• Company subsidized cafeteria in our Waltham, MA office

Work Location: Onsite in Waltham, MA Monday - Thursday

Targeted Salary Range: $151,000 to $202,000

Nova Biomedical believes in transparency and integrity throughout all we do, including compensation. The provided salary range for this role represents the expected base salary or hourly rate for this opening. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and may vary based on individual factors such as location, skills, and education.

About the Company

At Nova Biomedical, we're not just building instruments, we're powering breakthroughs that improve lives. Our smart, science-driven solutions are trusted in over 100 countries to speed drug development and enhance patient care.

Our integration brings together more than 70 years of scientific excellence with Nova's cutting-edge innovation, forming a powerhouse of precision, purpose, and possibility. With FDA-registered, ISO-certified manufacturing, more than 125 FDA approvals, and industry-trusted diagnostics, we're setting new standards in quality and reliability. Nova Biomedical is proud to be a global leader in osmolality testing and biotechnology and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) instrumentation, dedicated to advancing patient care and scientific discovery with a legacy that continues to shape the future of life sciences.

With headquarters in Norwood and Waltham, Massachusetts, and a global team of nearly 2,000 employees, we're building a collaborative, empowered culture grounded in shared values: Customer Centri