Senior Optical Systems Engineer

• Senior Optical Systems Engineer

EXEMPT STATUS

Minimum 40 hrs/week; overtime as needed

Optimax is experiencing exciting growth and expanding our team! Whether you are starting your career or looking for a new challenge, we offer a dynamic work environment, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to contribute to creating cutting-edge optics for a wide range of industries. Apply now and start your career journey with Optimax!

A unique corporate culture combined with a dynamic work environment:

At Optimax, we build lenses that power cutting-edge technologies in aerospace, defense, and consumer electronics. Our optics help shape breakthroughs that benefit humanity and protect our freedom. We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation and teamwork thrive. We are looking for motivated individuals who are eager to learn, grow, and contribute to impactful projects.

Job Summary and Essential Job Duties:

The Senior Optical Systems Engineer is responsible for any and all parts of the development of optical assemblies. A successful candidate will be able to design novel lenses, perform detailed tolerance analysis including suggesting mechanical assembly methods to achieve those tolerances, and present this work at customer design reviews. Another key aspect of the role will be planning for acceptance test criteria, including specifying work flows on new and existing equipment to achieve verification of very low aberration systems. The Optical Systems Engineer role will perform these first lab tests and train manufacturing engineering staff for production handoff. This will be a primarily on-site role with travel requirements of approximately 10%, including visits to customer sites or industry and educational conferences as needed.

Through On the Job Training (OJT), the Senior Optical Engineer will:

• Lead or support projects as a technical point of contact for customers
• Facilitate cross-functional teams to plan workflow, adhering to customer-established timelines while meeting real cost and delivery requirements
• Develop test documentation for internal use and compose test plans that meet customer requirements
• Help multi-discipline teams solve complex problems, and report results verbally and in writing
• Prepare customer facing design review material and present findings in large group review settings
• Lead or support testing of prototype lenses and transition to volume production
• Perform other duties as assigned

Advancement through the optical engineer ranks is attained via increasing levels of education, experience, industrial skills, math skills, computing skills, responsibility and leadership potential and effectiveness.

Education Requirements:

• B.S. in Optics, Physics, or equivalent academic program required
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optics preferred
• 5-15 years’ experience in lens design using Zemax or Code V (Zemax preferred)
• Image quality metrology experience, e.g. interferometry or MTF testing
• Demonstrated prototype build successes

Minimum Requirements:

• Knowledge of imaging and non-imaging optics and their quality metrics
• Knowledge in metrology techniques for optical systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to assess complex issues and develop appropriate solutions
• Ability to collect, interpret, document, and present data
• Ability to work and contribute in a team setting

Other Skills and Experience:

• Previous experience with telescope and off-axis design forms a plus
• Previous experience with space applications a plus
• Prior experience as a program technical lead
• Familiarity with clean room protocols
• Experience creating optical drawings, preferably in the ISO10110 format
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Strong desire to learn new things through continuing education and training

Work Requirements:

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk and hear
• The job may involve prolonged periods of sitting/standing
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp

Work Environment:

• This position works in a manufacturing environment. The noise level can vary from quiet to loud frequencies
• May involve the use of oils and solvents
• Generally works in a clean environment and works to maintain the environment as such
• May require area specific safety training which will be provided upon hire
• The employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use may be required

Compensation & Benefits:

Optimax offers competitive compensation based on experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bonus: 25% Monthly Profit Sharing
• Tuition Assistance: Support for continuing education
• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision options
• 401(k): Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and paid holidays
• Other Benefits: Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA)

ITAR Compliance:

Employment at Optimax Systems, Inc. is subject to export control compliance requirements, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) issued by the United States Department of State, Department of Defense Trade Controls, and the Export Administration Regulations. Learn more about the ITAR here. To meet export control compliance requirements for this position, an applicant must be a “U.S. Person” as defined by applicable regulations or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Person” includes a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Optimax is committed to offering equal opportunity for all candidates. We encourage you to apply regardless of background, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Optimax will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact our Human Resources team at 585-265-1020.