Senior System Engineer - Optical

Join a dynamic and innovative R&D team dedicated to developing the next generation of light scattering, field-flow fractionation (FFF), and chromatography-based analytical instruments. As a Senior System Engineer - Optical, you will lead the design, development, integration, and optimization of precision optomechanical systems from concept through production.

Working in a multidisciplinary environment spanning optics, fluidics, electronics, firmware, software, and chemistry, you will be responsible for architecting robust optical and mechanical solutions that enable best-in-class instrument performance, reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability. You will play a key role in advancing new technology platforms while mentoring junior engineers and driving engineering best practices.

You will own free-space optical system design, validation. You will set product vision at the system level, lead design of optics, detectors, circuit boards, precision mechanisms, and mechanical enclosures that must meet user requirements, and ensure the product can be manufactured at high rate.

• Decompose system requirements into optical system and subsystem requirements; derive optical specifications, drawings, interfaces, alignment approaches, tolerances, and performance budgets with adjacent engineering teams.
• Perform optical analysis—including image simulation, radiometry, stop analysis, and stray-light analysis—and plan and execute optical assembly, alignment, characterization, calibration, and integration activities.
• Participate in design reviews and document optical requirements, test methods, calibration results, as-built optical designs, and configuration changes.
• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
• Develop and review design concepts, drawings, bills of material, and assembly processes
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis and test of components, subassemblies, and instruments to verify design and specification goals
• Lead in prototype build and preproduction activities
• Provide assignments and technical mentoring to junior level Engineers, Designers, and Technicians
• Properly utilize DFM (Design For Manufacture) methods and GD&T
• Prepare, follow through with, and present design and drawing reviews
• Work closely with NPI (New Product Introduction) to support the smooth transition of design into volume manufacturing

Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree in optics, physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related field, with a strong foundation in optical engineering and experience applying it to physical systems. OR
• Bachelor's degree in Physics/Astronomy, Aerospace Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 5 years of related experience OR
• Master's degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience OR
• PhD in similar disciplines.

Skills:

• Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and alignment
• Proficiency with Zemax or equivalent optical design and analysis software, along with experience in optical alignment, characterization, calibration, laboratory test methods, and design of test equipment and validation procedures.
• Experience with stray-light analysis in FRED or equivalent, modeling optical alignment procedures, and using performance-prediction tools for novel optical systems.
• Hands-on experience building and aligning optical assemblies, with a cross-functional approach to integration and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity and knowledge of the optical properties of systems such as telescopes, spectrometers, coronagraphs and imaging cameras.
• Experience developing optical systems with an…