Lead Optical Engineer

Lead Optical Engineer (Advanced Coherent LiDAR)

Location: Austin, TX (travel to integration sites and test facilities as needed)

Type: Full-time

We're partnering with a well-funded, venture-backed aerospace and defense technology company building next-generation active sensing systems for demanding operational environments.

They're looking for a Lead Optical Engineer to own the architecture, design, and execution of a cutting‑edge coherent LiDAR platform. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role where you'll guide optical system development from concept through integration, testing, and deployment while leading a high‑performing engineering team.

• Lead optical system architecture for an advanced coherent LiDAR platform.
• Design and develop transmitter, receiver, and beam delivery systems.
• Own optical modeling, performance budgets, tolerancing, and system validation.
• Drive development of free‑space optics, fiber photonics, lasers, detectors, and opto‑mechanical assemblies.
• Partner closely with systems, software, DSP, and mechanical engineering teams.
• Lead integration, alignment, calibration, and environmental testing.
• Guide technical decisions, mentor engineers, and help build the optical engineering organization.

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years developing advanced optical systems with increasing technical leadership.
• Strong experience with free‑space optics and coherent photonic systems.
• Expertise in optical design tools such as Zemax/Optic Studio, MATLAB, or similar.
• Experience taking complex optical systems from concept through integration and testing.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving startup environment.

• Coherent LiDAR, FMCW sensing, interferometry, or precision optical metrology.
• Space, aerospace, defense, or other SWaP‑constrained systems.
• Optical beam steering, advanced receiver architectures, or photonic systems.
• Experience supporting classified or defense‑related programs.
• Active or ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

We're looking for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong ownership and execution. You'll thrive if you enjoy solving multidisciplinary engineering challenges, making data‑driven decisions, mentoring teams, and bringing complex optical systems from concept to reality.