Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LiDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip‑scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high‑resolution LiDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price.

Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

We are looking for an Opto‑Mechanical Engineer to help us build our next generation of LiDAR sensors! The ideal candidate will have experience designing and analyzing opto‑mechanical systems, as well as hands‑on experience testing optical hardware. Due to the massive range of use cases for LiDAR, we’re driven to make products which perform in a wide range of thermal and vibration environments.

Rigorous opto‑mechanical design, analysis, and testing are key to building sensors which can accomplish this. This will be a collaborative role which interfaces with mechanical, electrical, and testing experts. It’s also a unique opportunity to build optical systems for mass production.

• Opto‑mechanical design from concept to production for next‑gen products used in harsh thermal and vibration environments
• Opto‑mechanical simulations (FEA) to evaluate system performance over wide thermal ranges
• Validating hardware through testing - includes developing test plans and test equipment
• Generation of opto‑mechanical and optical component drawings using ASME Y14.5 GD&T
• Tolerancing of opto‑mechanical and optical components with an understanding of high volume fabrication tolerances
• Work with vendors to have high precision opto‑mechanical and optical components fabricated and verified
• Work with Quality team to ensure our products meet ruggedization and operating temperature requirements

• Strong mechanical fundamentals, with experience designing complex optical systems or other multi‑domain systems. Optical athermal design a plus
• Strong in Solid Works or equivalent CAD software
• Strong mechanical drafting and tolerancing skills
• Experience managing optical component vendors and design consultants
• BS in mechanical engineering or related field
• 5+ years experience

• Familiarity with precision measurement and metrology equipment
• Experience with the design of bond joints and testing of adhesives
• Experience working on LiDAR systems
• Experience working with opto‑mechanical systems at production quantities
• Proficient using FEA software such as ANSYS or equivalent
• Beginner level experience using Zemax or equivalent optical simulation software
• Experience with Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance (STOP) analysis
• Familiarity with stress, thermal, shock & vibe and related reliability tests
• Familiarity with GD&T standards and ISO 10110
• MS in mechanical engineering or related field

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($125,000-$232,000)

We acknowledge the confidence gap  do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender‑identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.