About the role- We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Optical System Integration Engineer to join our System Optics Team. The team is responsible for integrating and validating optical subsystems and ensuring product performance from an optical standpoint. This is a hands-on engineering role intended for a recent graduate, or early-career engineer with strong fundamentals in optics and an interest in building, testing, and debugging real optical systems.
What you'll do- Build, align, and characterize optical laboratory setups and optical subsystems.
- Support testing and validation of optical components and subsystems, including lenses, windows, mirrors, lasers, detectors, and related opto-mechanical assemblies.
- Perform optical alignment tasks including free-space alignment, beam collimation, focusing, and optimization of optical paths.
- Execute optical characterization and system-level test procedures and analyze the resulting data.
- Develop Python scripts for instrument control, test automation, data processing, visualization, and analysis.
- Assist with development and validation new sensor prototyping and manufacturing processes.
- Support optical subsystem bring-up, integration, validation, and troubleshooting.
- Investigate unexpected system behavior using experimental data and fundamental engineering principles.
- Perform measurements and characterization of optical performance, including beam profile, M², wavefront error (WFE), and other relevant optical metrics.
- Work with cross-functional engineering teams, including electrical, firmware, DSP, software, and mechanical engineering.
- Document experimental setups, procedures, results, and conclusions clearly.
- Participate in failure analysis and root-cause investigations with experienced engineers.
- Propose improvements to optical setups, test methods, automation, and measurement techniques.
Required Qualifications- Recently completed a B.S. or M.S. in Optical/Photonics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a related engineering field.
- Strong understanding of optical fundamentals, including geometric optics, lenses, imaging, Gaussian beams, diffraction, and basic physical optics.
- Demonstrated hands-on technical aptitude through laboratory coursework, research, internships, engineering projects, or previous employment.
- Comfortable working with physical hardware and performing iterative setup, measurement, alignment, and debugging.
- Experience with or strong interest in: Free-space optical alignment; Lenses and opto-mechanical components; Laser alignment and beam collimation; Photodetectors and optical power measurements; Optical and electrical laboratory instrumentation; Optical systems in sensing applications
- Working knowledge of Python, particularly for scientific computing, data analysis, or laboratory automation.
- Ability to analyze experimental data, identify trends or anomalies, and develop hypotheses based on measurement results.
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn unfamiliar systems and measurement techniques.
- Ability to communicate technical observations and results clearly.
Preferred Qualifications- Python libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, and Matplotlib.
- Automated test equipment and instrument communication/control.
- Passive or active integrated photonics testing.
- Basic analog/digital electronics and ability to interpret circuit schematics or system block diagrams.
- Optical simulation or design tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar software.
- FPGA or SoC-based hardware platforms.
Benefits (subject to location and local regulations)
- Competitive salary and equity
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Flexible vacation and time-off policy
- Collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work environment
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with a highly cross-functional team
The pay range for this role is:
110,000 - 170,000 USD per year (Bay Area, CA)
