Enterprise Optical Engineer

If you're looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you've found it. Whether you're an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX is a place where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in an environment where you can make an impact. With interesting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more across more than 40 diverse businesses around the globe, chances are, we have something special for you.

This role could be hybrid, home based, site based or a bubble assignment (if current employee). IDEX Materials Science Solutions (MSS) is a newly formed group made up of 11 Materials Sciences businesses across 14 locations within the US and Europe.

The Global Space and Defense (GSD) group within MSS will double revenue in five years by securing and successfully executing against strategic programs supporting some of the most exciting work in space and defense within North America and Europe.

Position Summary:

Global Space and Defense (GSD) is pursuing high risk, high reward business with a select few strategic customers. Achieving our strategic intent will require best in class optical design engineering expertise in support of our customers and their mission critical, innovative needs. In support of this strategy, we are seeking a customer-focused Enterprise Optical Engineer to develop and lead solutions from concept through prototype, in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the optical capabilities of IDEX MSS and proven facility to partner with customers on their most complex challenges and propose innovative, manufacturable solutions that begin with prototype and NPI engagements and evolve into full-scale OEM solutions.

• Translate customer needs and requirements into manufacturable designs using CAD, coating design, and COTS and custom optical system simulation tools.
• Design and develop optical component, optical assembly, and optomechanical solutions for responding to market needs targeted by GSD's Strategic Intent.
• Thoroughly and comprehensively understand the capabilities of IDEX's GSD manufacturing sites.
• Identify new opportunities with existing and growth customers to deploy MSS manufacturing capabilities.
• Perform tolerance analysis and feasibility studies to ensure alignment with IDEX GSD manufacturing capabilities.
• Generate detailed technical documentation for prototypes.
• Lead prototype-to-production process at manufacturing sites.
• Directly interface with customers for technical and commercial matters.
• Provide technical expertise and develop customer application-specific solutions, including feasibility, costing, and lead time estimates.
• Lead new product innovation, development, and introduction process for custom-engineered solutions from concept through qualification, quotation, prototype delivery, and hand-off to Operations for high volume OEM production.
• Supports system level discussions by bringing an optical system level view.
• Supports the commercial, program management, and site teams to drive growth and meet new market needs aligned with GSD Strategic Intent, including new product development, technology deployment, and ensuring scalability.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and support customer returns and complaints.
• Creates, effectively writes, and communicates multi-site proposals to customers.
• May serve as an interim primary point of contact for customers until an account manager is determined.
• Represent the GSD Team and GSD Strategic Intent, and consistently exhibit GSD Team Behaviors to customers and MSS site teams as well as at industry events, conferences, and trade shows.

• Master’s degree or above in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering (with optics focus), or related field preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline is required.
• 3-5 years’ experience in an optical manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with optical component or system new product development or new product introduction required.
• Experience with…