Optical Design Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Title

Optical Design Engineer

Department

Engineering

Reports to

Director of Engineering

SEE YOUR CAREER THROUGH A NEW LENS WITH RPO!

RPO is a global leader in precision optics, optical components, and optical assemblies. We specialize in a full spectrum of products & services including – Design and Engineering, Systems Integration, Lens Assembly, Visible and Infrared Components, Glass and Plastic Molded Aspheres, and Thin Film Coating. As one of the fastest growing companies in Rochester, RPO offers exciting career paths and work on market-leading programs. See below one of many career opportunities to join the RPO team!

Position Overview:

The Optical Design Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, tolerancing, and support of precision optical systems from concept through production. Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program teams, this role develops optical solutions that meet customer requirements while ensuring designs are manufacturable, testable, and cost-effective. The successful candidate will apply strong optical design principles to create and optimize lens assemblies and optical systems, perform performance and tolerance analyses, and support the transition of designs into production. This position requires a practical understanding of how optical, mechanical, and manufacturing considerations interact to influence overall system performance.

In addition to supporting new product development, this role serves as a technical resource for troubleshooting optical performance issues, improving existing products, and supporting optical metrology and validation activities. The ideal candidate combines strong theoretical optics knowledge with hands-on experience developing optical designs that have been successfully manufactured and deployed in real-world applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop optical systems and lens assemblies for commercial, industrial, and government applications using industry-standard optical design software.
• Perform optical analysis including imaging performance, tolerancing, sensitivity analysis, and system optimization.
• Develop manufacturable optical designs that balance performance, cost, producibility, and schedule requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure successful transition of designs from development into production.
• Create, review, and approve engineering documentation including optical prescriptions, specifications, drawings, and design reports.
• Support troubleshooting and root cause investigations related to optical system performance, assembly challenges, manufacturing variation, and test results.
• Develop and execute optical verification and validation plans to confirm compliance with performance requirements.
• Support optical metrology activities including lens characterization, alignment verification, and performance testing.
• Conduct stray light analysis and support mitigation efforts using established optical engineering best practices.
• Utilize Zemax Optic Studio and other analysis tools to model, evaluate, and improve optical system performance.
• Develop scripts, automation tools, and analytical methods that improve design efficiency, tolerancing workflows, and engineering productivity.
• Serve as a technical resource to manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams throughout product lifecycles.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience designing optical systems and lens assemblies within a commercial, industrial, defense, aerospace, medical device, or precision manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Zemax Optic Studio for optical design, analysis, tolerancing, and optimization.
• Demonstrated experience performing optical analysis, tolerancing, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization.
• Solid understanding of optical performance metrics including MTF, distortion, illumination, image quality, and system tolerancing.
• Experience designing lens systems or optical assemblies that have progressed beyond academic projects into prototype, production, or commercial applications.
• Ability to review and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements while ensuring designs are manufacturable, testable, and cost-effective.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose optical performance issues and support root-cause investigations.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering, quality, and operations teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other engineering analysis tools; experience developing scripts, macros, or automation tools to improve design and analysis workflows is highly desirable.
• Experience with CODE V, FRED, TRIOPTICS, Optikos, or similar optical design, analysis, and metrology systems is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with optical assembly, alignment, manufacturing processes, and production support activities is beneficial.
• Experience supporting visible, SWIR, MWIR, or LWIR optical systems is a plus.
• Practical understanding of optical-mechanical integration and the impact of manufacturing variation on optical performance.
• Electro-Optical Systems Engineering background is highly beneficial.

Core Competencies:

• Results-Oriented:  Motivated, hard-working and ready to level-up.
• Curious:  You never stop learning and have an insatiable desire to gain new skills and knowledge.
• Process Oriented: Well organized, demonstrating attention to detail.
• Analytical:  Possess a  “If there’s a problem, I’ll find a solution” attitude.
• Accountable:  Demanding the highest quality from yourself and team members.
• Detail-Oriented: Have excellent time management and organizational skills.
• A Team Player: Reliable, collaborative, flexible with a positive ‘get things done’ attitude.

Additional Requirements: 

Pursuant to ITAR, EAR, and other export compliance laws and regulations, applicants for this position must be U.S. Persons as defined by U.S. law, i.e., U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents ("Green Card" holders), persons granted refugee status or asylum status in the United States, or temporary residents granted amnesty.

 

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package linked to your experience and performance.
• 401(k) with company match and Tuition Reimbursement opportunities.
• Health, dental, vision, HSA, & life insurance.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and 11 paid company holidays  

 

Work Requirements & Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand: use hands to fingers, handle or feel: and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch: and talk and communicate.

• The job may involve prolonged periods of sitting/standing.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. May involve prolonged periods of magnified inspection (eye strain)

• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.
• The employee is frequently required to use the computer.

• May involve the use of oils and solvents.
• Subject to some soilage and irritation from cleaning solutions. (Lab Coats provided)
• Generally works in a clean environment and works to maintain the environment as such.
• Safety Glasses are required
• May require area specific safety training

• This position works in a manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. 
• The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne paper particles.
• May work at different workstations as production needs require, or shifts from one station to another, during the production process.

 

Disclaimer:

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

 

Rochester Precision Optics is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our business and our people.

EOE/AA/Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

 

Monday - Friday, 7am - 3:30pm