Optical Engineer
Posted 24 Sep 2026
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Expected experience
- 3+ yrs
- Management level
- Individual contributor
- Employment
- On-Site
- Contract
- Full-time
Compensation
No salary listed for this role.
Role speciality
Laser DistributionMicroscope ImagingOptical CavitiesOptical Engineering
Useful technologies
FREDOnshapeSolidWorksZemax
Preferred qualifications
Field of studyOptical Engineering, Optical Sciences (or related)
Study levelBachelor's or higher
Job Responsibilities
- Partner with mechanical engineers and physicists to iteratively design optical subsystems in the areas of laser distribution, high numerical aperture microscope imaging, and optical cavities
- Analyze and make recommendations to the engineering team for balancing competing requirements
- Create novel designs and specifications of optical systems and subsystems from the component level up to the system level
- Evaluate suitability of design solutions by performing detailed tolerance and stray light analysis
- Develop alignment procedures for optical designs
- Assist in hands-on assembly and precision alignment of finalized optical designs
- Characterize the performance of optical subsystems
- Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.
Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field. Advanced degree a plus
- 3+ years optical design experience
- 2+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment
Qualifications
- Experience with Fourier Optics, flat field relay optical systems, and telecentric imaging
- Experience in the design of high-numerical-aperture imaging systems
- Experience with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software
- Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software
- High attention-to-detail and accuracy
- Creative, critical thinking with ability to strategize and solve problems in a dynamic environment
- Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment
- Excellent communication, listening and people skills