Seeking an exceptionally talented and highly motivated Advanced Optical Development Lead to join our Research & Development team. This is a leadership role responsible for driving the conceptualization, design, development, and validation of innovative optical systems that are critical to our next-generation products. The successful candidate will develop and lead a team of optical, opto-electronic and opto-mechanical engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership: Define and execute Advanced Optical Development R&D programs in alignment with the overall company strategy and product roadmap. Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies in optical design, opto-mechanics and precision engineering.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of optical, mechanical and electrical engineers. Foster a collaborative and high-performance environment, promoting professional growth and technical skill development.
• Full Lifecycle Development: Oversee the entire development lifecycle, from initial concept generation, feasibility studies, and detailed design to prototyping, testing, validation, and transition to manufacturing for volume production.
• Precision Opto-Mechanical/Electronic Design: Drive the design of high-precision opto-mechanical and opto-electronic assemblies, including stable optical mounts, alignment mechanisms, thermal management solutions, and vibration isolation systems for highly sensitive optical components (e.g. waveguides, detectors, laser, fiber optic interfaces, quantum emitters).
• Tolerance Analysis & Budgeting: Guide tolerance analysis and error budgeting methodologies to ensure manufacturability, performance, and reliability of optical systems under various environmental conditions.
• Material Selection & Process Optimization: Guide the selection of appropriate materials and manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, additive manufacturing, bonding) for optimal optical performance, thermal stability, and long-term reliability.
• Simulation & Modeling: Champion the use of advanced simulation and modeling tools (e.g., FEA for structural and thermal analysis, optical modeling software) to predict system performance and optimize designs.
• Verification & Validation: Establish comprehensive test plans and lead experimental validation activities to ensure designs meet performance specifications. Oversee the development of custom test setups and metrology solutions.
• Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis: Lead complex problem-solving efforts for design challenges, performance deviations, and manufacturing issues related to opto-mechanical systems.
• IP Development: Contribute to and drive intellectual property generation through patent disclosures and publications.
• Budget & Resource Management: Work with Program Management to establish and track budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.

Background & Experience:

Education: Ph.D. or M.S. in Optical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in project/program management with a strong technical aptitude for optical and opto-mechanical design and development, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior technical lead role.
• Proven track record of successfully bringing complex opto-mechanical and opto-electronic systems from R&D to production in a fast-paced, high-tech environment.
• Knowledgeable in precision opto-mechanical design principles, including athermalization techniques, vibration isolation, and thermal management for optical systems.
• Knowledgeable with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo) and FEA simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation).
• Familiarity with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g. Altium, OrCAD, PADS).
• Strong understanding of optical system design principles and their impact on opto-mechanical and sensing requirements.
• Experience with various manufacturing processes for precision components (e.g., CNC machining, grinding, polishing, injection molding, additive manufacturing).
• Familiarity with optical metrology techniques and equipment (e.g., interferometers, autocollimators, profilometers).
• Knowledgeable of requirements in quantum technology, aerospace, defense, scientific instrumentation, or semiconductor industries is desirable.
• Knowledge of vacuum deposition is a plus.

Must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. “Green Card Holder”), Political Asylee, or Refugee.
If you are a visionary leader with a passion for optical innovation and a desire to make a significant impact on groundbreaking technology, we encourage you to apply.

Equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.