Staff Optical Design Engineer

ABOUT NEUROPHOS The demand for new data centers and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck means rethinking the fundamental architecture of inference compute. The industry's current path can't meet the need, so we're taking a different approach. Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference. We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A https://www.neurophos.com/110m-raise led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. Join us and shape the future of computing! Location: Austin, TX. Full-time onsite position. Reports To: VP of Optics FLSA Status: Exempt   POSITION OVERVIEW The optical team is responsible for the optical design and simulation of the OPU’s free-space optical path. This system is critical to enabling our optical processing engine to meet the performance requirements for analog compute. The Staff Optical Design Engineer will own the optical architecture and performance of the optical system and/or components from concept through production and will be an expert in optical design and simulation, working closely with optomechanical design, photonics, electrical, and system engineering teams. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Optical design/optimization and simulation of complex optical systems and components. - Utilize Zemax or other optical design tools to perform tolerance analysis, sensitivity, and stray light simulations. - Collaborate directly with external suppliers on technical specifications (DFM). - Partner closely with optomechanical, photonics, electrical, and system engineering teams. - Support laboratory efforts to align, debug, and characterize optical systems and components. - Represent optical design in system reviews, own relevant sections of system requirement documents, and communicate status and risk to engineers and executives. QUALIFICATIONS - Master's or Ph.D. in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a tightly relevant technical track. - 5+ years of industry experience as an optical design engineer developing advanced optical systems from concept to market introduction. - Deep expertise in imaging optical system design, including beam shaping. - Advanced knowledge of aberration theory, tolerancing, DFx, and ghost/straylight simulation. - Proficiency using Zemax, LightTools, or other optical design software for sequential and non-sequential ray tracing. - Programming skills like Python, Zemax Macro language. - Strong communicator, able to convey complex optical design concepts to both technical and executive audiences. PREFERRED SKILLS - Prior experience in a fast-moving startup environment. - Experience in designing freeform optical systems. - Advanced knowledge of optical metrology, alignment, and assembly concepts. WHAT WE OFFER This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative, brilliant team. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.   BENEFITS Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer: - 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions. - Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery. - 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success. - Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance. - Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don’t.