Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer

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 Opto-Mechanical Engineer 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.

• 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, 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 diagnostics & visualization surgical instrumentation as SME across mechanical design, opto-mechanics, optics, fiber optics, material science, precision machining, imaging, illumination, microscope and optical systems design disciplines
• Perform opto-mechanical design including lens barrel and housing, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and conduct thermal, environmental, shock & vibration, system integration and stability tolerance analysis
• Conduct design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products
• Investigate and evaluate existing technologies and design new methodologies, materials, machines or processes as needed for ophthalmic medical device development. Design, assemble, align, measure, test, analyze, and troubleshoot diagnostics and visualization devices
• Understand operation principles for optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors and integrate 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 platforms (Windchill preferred)
• Develop assembling and alignment fixtures for prototype fabrication and create associated manufacturing assembly and testing processes (MAP & MTP)
• Support concurrent engineering activities, design control and transition to manufacturing
• Technical lead for feasibility studies and new product development ensuring that design activities follow 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-offs and technical reviews to drive design decisions
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams including optics, mechanical, electrical, software, QA, industrial design and manufacturing functions
• Show team player and collaboration aptitude with strong accountability and perseverance to lead and drive projects through to completion
• Contribute to ideation, patent portfolio and corporate strategy development

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of directly related experience (high school +13 yrs; Associate +9…