Senior Optical Simulation Engineer

Luminit is seeking a Senior Optical Simulation Engineer to own the simulation and design of complete optical systems across our active programs.

The role predicts how an optical design will perform — image quality, efficiency, uniformity, stray light; and validates it before the system is built, so design decisions and customer commitments rest on analysis rather than guesswork. It turns customer requirements into optical designs, runs the analysis that shows those designs meet spec, and presents the results to internal teams and customers.

We are looking for deep optical-simulation and design expertise paired with a practical engineering mindset; someone who can own the analysis end to end and explain it clearly to a Tier-1 customer.

• Build and maintain simulation models of complete optical systems
• Analyze system-level performance: image quality, efficiency, uniformity, and stray light
• Run tolerance and sensitivity analyses to guide design optimization and reduce risk
• Support architecture and design decisions through simulation-driven analysis

• Translate customer optical requirements into optical designs
• Produce the verification and validation analysis that demonstrates designs meet requirements
• Maintain version-controlled simulation models and analysis under design control

• Work with optical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering on integration and tolerance allocation
• Take part in technical reviews and architecture discussions with customers and program partners
• Present analysis and recommendations to internal teams and customers

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related technical field (Master’s or PhD preferred)
• 7+ years of optical system design and simulation experience
• Proficiency with Zemax Optic Studio (or equivalent), including non-sequential mode
• Experience modeling complete optical systems and predicting system-level performance (image quality, efficiency, uniformity, stray light)
• Experience with tolerance and sensitivity analysis
• MATLAB and/or Python scripting for optical analysis
• Experience producing documented, traceable optical analysis within a formal design-control or quality-management system (ISO 9001 or equivalent)
• Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to present analysis and recommendations clearly to internal teams and customers

• Experience modeling diffractive or holographic optical elements (volume gratings, HOEs)
• Experience with head-up displays (HUDs), augmented reality, or near-eye display systems
• Aerospace, automotive, or defense optical engineering experience
• Experience supporting certification or qualification programs
• Experience with advanced or regulated quality systems (AS9100, IATF 16949, or similar)
• Experience with multi-scale simulation workflows and pipelines (e.g., Lumerical-to-Zemax, Virtual Lab Fusion)
• Hands‑on optical laboratory or experimental validation experience
• Understanding of optical manufacturing constraints and design‑for‑manufacturing
• On-site role based in Torrance, CA
• Customer and technical‑partner interaction as required by active programs
• Travel to customer or partner sites as needed

This position may involve access to information or technology subject to U.S. export control regulations (ITAR or EAR). Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under applicable U.S. export control regulations.

Luminit develops advanced optical technologies used across automotive, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications, with multiple products already shipping in volume. You would work on holographic and photonic optical systems in a collaborative, technically driven team, contributing directly to the products as the company scales.