Senior Optical Engineer

Alcon

$110K — $130K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent in a relevant field.
  • 2 years of relevant experience in optical design and engineering.
  • Fluency in English for effective communication.
  • Experience with optical software such as Zemax or Code V is required.
  • Proficiency in Python and common ML/data libraries like NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn.

Responsibilities

  • Drive cross-functional innovation by collaborating with various engineering teams.
  • Lead optical design and simulation efforts, developing proprietary optics for human vision.
  • Manage IOL R&D programs from concept through execution, applying creativity and technical judgment.
  • Use advanced computation and data analysis to enhance design decisions and engineering efficiency.
  • Set technical standards and mentor team members, leading design reviews and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Benefits

  • Growth and development opportunities within Alcon.
  • Robust benefits package including health and life insurance, retirement plans.
  • Flexible time off policies for exempt associates and PTO for hourly workers.
Full Job Description
This is an onsite position located at our Fort Worth, Texas, main campus.

As a Senior Optical Engineer supporting the Intraocular Lens (IOL) R&D and Advanced Optics team, you will be trusted to work on proprietary optical design, simulation, and metrology innovations that advance vision-restoring ophthalmic technologies at our Fort Worth, Texas site.

In this role, a typical day will include:
  • Driving cross-functional innovation with Optics, Ophthalmology, Chemistry, and Mechanical Engineering teams to solve complex IOL and vision-correction challenges, advancing Alcon's mission to help people see brilliantly.
  • Leading end-to-end optical design and simulation using Zemax/Code V, developing proprietary optics optimized for human vision and defining rigorous optical metrology to ensure world-class performance.
  • Owning critical IOL R&D programs, from conceptual research through execution, applying deep technical judgment and creativity to introduce new design methodologies, materials, or processes; success measured by technical maturity and clinical impact.
  • Leveraging advanced computation and data-driven analysis (Python, MATLAB, ML/data libraries) to accelerate design decisions, improve performance robustness, and elevate engineering efficiency.
  • Setting the technical bar and mentoring others, leading design reviews, influencing best practices, and ensuring compliance with ISO, FDA, and MDD standards-contributing to Alcon's culture of excellence, accountability, and patient-first innovation.


WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON:
  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +10 yrs; Assoc.+6 yrs; M.S.+0 yrs)
  • The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
  • 2 Years of Relevant Experience


PREFERRED:
  • Proven ability to develop solutions for problems that require the regular use of creativity.
  • Knowledge of ISO, FDA, MDD and regulations applicable to the design and development of medical device/science/technology.
  • Understands applied practice, concepts and processes in a defined discipline or scientific/technical field.
  • Provides specific advice in own area and recommends improvements to well established and clearly defined processes.
  • Encounters problems that are varied but similar. Requires some fact-finding to define problem. Selects the best option from a set of defined procedures or based on precedence.
  • Proficiency in Python and common ML/data libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow) or Matlab.
  • Experience with optical design, optical engineering and optical software like Zemax or Code V are required.
  • Candidates with an advanced degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics or a related engineering field will be given preference.


RELOCATION: Yes

SPONSORSHIP: Yes

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:
  • See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
  • Join Alcon's mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
  • Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off for exempt associates, PTO for hourly associates, and much more!


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