Optical Architect Sensitivity DNA Sequencing

Company Overview

Sarmal, Inc. is a San Diego–based biotechnology company developing next-generation genomics and molecular detection platforms. Our work integrates molecular biology, chemistry, and advanced systems engineering to enable faster, more precise, and more accessible genomic insights.

We are a highly collaborative, R&D-driven teamoperatingin a fast-paced, early-stage environment. Our scientists and engineers work across disciplines to solve complex technical challenges and translate innovation into scalable, real-world applications.

AtSarmal, we value scientific rigor, curiosity, anda builder mindset. We are looking for individuals who are energized by ambiguity, motivated by impact, and excited to help bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

We are seeking aPrincipal Optical Engineerto design and optimize the optical detection system at the heart of our next-generation DNA sequencing platform. This individual will own the optical architecture from concept through commercialization — driving the design, simulation, tolerancing, alignment, and characterization of a highly optimized, high-sensitivity detection system, and partnering closely with cross-functional and external (CRO/CDMO) teams to bring a manufacturable product to market.

• Define the optical architecture and long-term technical strategy for next-generation high-throughput DNA sequencing platforms, ensuring alignment with product performance, scalability, manufacturability, and business objectives.
• Lead the end-to-end design, modeling, and optimization optical system for a high-throughput DNA sequencer, spanning the illumination, imaging, and detection paths.
• Establish the optical technology roadmap by evaluating emerging technologies, identifying technical risks, and leading feasibility studies for future platform capabilities.
• Developing breadboard systems and carrying out Proof-of-Concept experiments and early prototyping prior to system integration.
• Perform optical design, ray tracing, tolerance analysis, and stray-light analysis in Zemax Optic Studio to meet resolution, field-of-view, throughput, and signal-to-noise requirements.
• Drive key optical trade studies, balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, and yield to converge on a robust, highly optimized, high-sensitivity architecture.
• Build, align, test, and characterize optical prototypes and subsystems on the bench, developing the fixturing and procedures needed for repeatable alignment.
• Define specifications for custom optical components, coatings, and sources, defining drawings, tolerances, and acceptance criteria for suppliers.
• Partner with development and manufacturing contractors to integrate optical systems and transfer the design to production, managing the tradeoffs between optical performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Lead the optical system through all phases of the product development lifecycle, from feasibility and design verification through design transfer and commercial launch.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, assay, and manufacturing teams to integrate the optical subsystem into the full instrument to ensure overall system performance and reliability.
• Author and review optical design documentation, analyses, and test protocols.
• Lead optical system design reviews and advise on readiness for phase exits and production release.

• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in optical engineering or optical system design, with multiple products successfully commercialized.
• Expert in optical design and analysis in Zemax Optic Studio, including sequential and non-sequential modeling, optimization, and tolerancing.
• Extensive hands-on experience operating a typical optical…