Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer II

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers.

Are you ready to join us?

This role in our R&D location in Lake Forest, CA is part of Alcon's Engineering function, a team focused on improving quality, processes, products, packaging and materials across our business to help deliver brilliant outcomes.

The Principal II, Optical Engineering (Science/Tech/Engineering Path), is primarily responsible for leading teams in designing, validating, and optimizing optical components and systems. You will conduct advanced research, ensure high-precision designs, and develop innovative optical solutions.

In this role, a typical day will include:

* Oversee multiple optical engineering projects, leading teams in the design, validation, and optimization of optical components and systems

* Conduct advanced research on light behavior, material properties, and optical performance

* Ensure designs meet high-precision and regulatory requirements

* Apply deep expertise in optical modeling and decision-making on system architectures

* Collaborate cross-functionally to develop cutting-edge optical solutions

* Adhere to GxP regulations by strictly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintaining accurate and complete documentation, ensuring rigorous quality control, and completing all required training

* Commit to continuous improvement and contribute to the overall compliance of the organization

* Apply in-depth knowledge of Opto-Mechanical Engineering in Ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization surgical instrumentation domain as SME across a range of engineering disciplines including, Mechanical Design, Opto-mechanics, Optics, Fiber Optics, Material Science, Precision Machining, Imaging, Illumination, Microscope and Optical Systems Design.

* Perform Opto-mechanical design including lens barrel and lens housing design, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and opto-mechanical analysis including thermal, environmental, shock & vibration, system integration and stability tolerance study.

* Conduct design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products.

* Investigate and evaluate existing technology and designs new methodology, materials, machines, or processes as needed for Ophthalmic medical device development. Design, assembly, alignment, measurement, testing, analysis, and troubleshooting of diagnostics and visualization devices.

* Understand operation principles for optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors and integrate these within complex sub-systems.

* Generate detailed parts fabrication drawings including GD&T and tolerance analysis.

* Support medical device development activities such as prototyping, testing, pilot builds, V&V, risk assessment, and ramp-up to production release.

* Support all aspects of documentation and design control through PECN, ECN, ECP in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform (Windchill preferred).

* Develop assembling and alignment fixtures for prototype fabrication and create associated manufacturing assembling (MAP) and manufacturing testing processes (MTP).

* Support concurrent engineering activities, design control and transition to manufacturing.

* Technical lead for feasibility study and new product development ensuring that design activities are conducted following Alcon SOPs.

* Derive product design requirements based on top-level commercial input.

* Identify technical, project schedule, and commercial viability risks.

* Run cross-functional design trade-off and technical reviews to drive design decisions.

* Work effectively with cross-functional development teams including Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, QA, Industrial Design and Manufacturing functions.

* Team player/collaboration aptitude with strong sense of accountability and perseverance to lead and drive projects through to completion.

* Make contributions to ideations, patent portfolio and the corporation strategy development.

What You'll Bring to Alcon:

Minimum requirements:

* Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs)

* The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English

* 5 Years of Relevant Experience

Experiences and Skill Sets

* Extensive relevant experience in Opto-mechanical engineering of medical devices or similar highly regulated products.

* Proficiency in CREO (Pro-E), Solid Works, or Equivalent CAD skills (CREO preferred) in PLM or Windchill environment.

* Strong background with design and development of Imaging system such as Microscope, Eyepiece, telescope, zoom lens as well as ophthalmic related Diagnostic &…