Senior Optical Engineer

Senior Optical Engineer

We are seeking a talented Optical Engineer to contribute to the development of advanced optical systems and technologies. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex engineering challenges, supporting the design, development, testing, and deployment of cutting-edge products. The ideal candidate will have a strong educational background in optics, optical engineering, or applied physics, combined with hands-on experience designing, building, and testing optical systems. Success in this role requires a strong foundation in optical principles, excellent laboratory skills, and a desire to thrive in a collaborative engineering environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and scientific teams to design, build, and test optical subsystems, modules, and components throughout the full product lifecycle, including research and development, productization, manufacturing support, and maintenance.
• Perform hands-on laboratory activities including optical assembly, alignment, cleaning, characterization, and testing of optical systems.
• Contribute to engineering documentation, design reviews, technical reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with research and development teams to transition innovative concepts and technologies into scalable, production-ready solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues both onsite and, when required, at customer locations in coordination with field support teams.
• Support system integration, validation, and performance optimization efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline. Master's degree preferred.
• 2 to 5 years of experience designing, building, or testing optical and opto-mechanical systems in an industry, government laboratory, FFRDC, or similar engineering environment.
• Strong system-level optical design skills, including experience with Zemax and CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge in several of the following areas:
  • Free-space optics
  • Fiber optics
  • Optical modulators
  • Electro-optic systems
  • Laser systems
  • Optical system characterization and testing
• Strong hands-on laboratory skills, including optical assembly, alignment, cleaning, troubleshooting, and testing.
• Experience contributing to the development of scientific instrumentation, advanced optical systems, or products transitioning from concept to production.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing complex optical systems for advanced technology products.
• Familiarity with engineering change management, configuration control, and enterprise engineering processes.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, deployment, or customer-facing technical activities.
• Knowledge of opto-mechanical design principles and system integration best practices.