Optical System Integration Engineer

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 • 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