Principal Optical Scientist

Principal Optical Scientist

We turn light into insight!

Due to EXTENSIVE growth, we are currently looking for folks that share our passion to reveal the invisible!

The Principal Optical Scientist serves as both a hands-on technical leader and mentor. This is a true player-coach role: you will personally design and deliver advanced optical systems while building and leading an electro-optical design team. You will drive innovation in imaging, sensing, laser systems, fiber optics, and related electro-optic technologies, set technical strategy, and deliver breakthrough performance for next-generation products in a fast-paced, rapidly growing company.

This office-based, full-time, exempt, role will report to the CEO and will be located in Salem, NH. 

**Preference will be given to candidates within a COMMUTABLE DISTANCE to Salem, NH.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Help define and own the optical architecture and technology roadmap for complex systems, from concept through production.

• Drive rigorous trade studies balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, size, weight, and reliability.
• Perform advanced optical analysis including tolerance analysis, stray light, polarization, diffraction, thermal, and environmental effects.
• Lead or contribute to fiber optic packaging design, including fiber alignment, coupling, connectorization, and hermetic or robust packaging solutions for electro-optic systems.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, systems, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Work extensively at the optical bench to test concepts, characterize performance, and prototype electro-optical systems — remaining hands-on in the lab as needed.
• Guide prototype development, lab testing, characterization, and validation of optical hardware.
• Provide technical coachingwhile fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Contribute to IP generation, technical publications, and external presentations when appropriate.
• Lead or support technical proposal writing, customer technical discussions, and strategic technology investments.
• Confidently present technical concepts, designs, and program status to senior management and customers.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Preference will be given to candidates who hold an active S/TS security clearance.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly growing company environment.
• Master’s degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field is required; PhD is strongly preferred.
• 15+years of experience in the design, test, and transfer to production of complex electro-optic systems, with a proven track record of delivering high-performance optical solutions from concept through manufacturing.
• Deep hands-on experience at the optical bench testing concepts and prototyping electro-optical systems at photodetector packaging and subsystem level
• Hands-on experience with fiber optic packaging, including fiber alignment, coupling efficiency optimization, and packaging for reliability and manufacturability.
• Deep expertise in geometrical and physical optics, imaging systems, and at least one specialized domain (e.g., precision optics, laser systems, or fiber Telcom).
• Mastery of optical design software (and strong proficiency in scripting for test automation (Python, MATLAB).
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a player-coach: delivering high-quality individual technical contributions while effectively building, mentoring, and elevating the performance of a technical team.
• Strong experimental skills: optical lens characterization and alignment, interferometry, BERT testing methodologies, and data analysis. That enjoys working on the optical bench.
• Experience writing technical proposals and presenting complex technical information clearly and confidently to senior management and customers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with freeform optics, diffractive optics, and meta-optics / metalenses,. development and sourcing
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices, requirements management, and risk analysis.
• US Person or Citizen

MISC:

• Able to lift up to 25lbs
• Travel may be required – approx. 10-15%

GPD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training .

About GPD

At GPD Optoelectronics, we believe that by operating with integrity and trust we drive constant organizational improvement, which strengthens our relationships with our employees and customers. Customer success remains our highest priority, so we strive to deliver high-quality products on time, and provide unparalleled service, responsiveness, and collaboration.

Founded in 1973 as Germanium Power Devices Corp, we began by making high-qualitygermanium transistors. Since the early 1980’s we have earned our place as a trusted manufacturer of both germanium and indium gallium arsenide photodiodes. We arelocated in Salem, NH.