{"id":3396366,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aeva-staff-optical-engineer","title":"Staff Optical Engineer","company":{"id":33527,"name":"Aeva","domain":"aeva.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/aeva","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Lever","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":92,"open_postings":42,"ghost_share":0.048,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":159,"computed_at":"2026-10-29T05:49:05Z"}},"role":"Semiconductors","role_family":"Semiconductors","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Mountain View, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":181300,"max":245300,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":245300},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2025-12-04T22:04:44Z","employer_posted_date":"2025-12-04","last_verified_at":"2026-10-30T03:01:42Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":329,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":328},"description":"About us:\nAeva’s mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security, and beyond. Aeva is transforming autonomy with its groundbreaking sensing and perception technology that integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions.\nRole Overview:\nAeva is seeking an experienced and highly innovative Staff Optical Engineer to join our dynamic engineering team. In this senior role, you will lead the design, development, and validation of advanced optical sub-components and systems that form the core of Aeva’s coherent LiDAR technology. You will help set technical direction, mentor junior engineers, and influence architectural decisions across multiple programs.\nWhat you'll be doing:\nLeading advanced modeling and simulation of optical systems, including beam propagation, tolerance analysis, stray-light and scattering analysis, polarization effects, and sensitivity studies.\nPerforming and reviewing optical simulations to evaluate architectures, predict performance, and identify design trade-offs.\nConducting system-level analyses to ensure manufacturability, robustness, and alignment with performance requirements.\nDeveloping requirements and specifications for optical components based on detailed analytical insights.\nGenerating and documenting new intellectual property related to optical modeling, analysis techniques, and system concepts.\nProviding cross-functional technical guidance to photonics, mechanical, and systems engineering teams.\nMentoring junior engineers in modeling methodologies, simulation workflows, and interpretation of results.\nWhat you have:\nBachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree with 6+ years; or PhD with 3+ years; or equivalent experience.\nDemonstrated experience driving optical system designs from proof-of-concept through high-volume production.\nStrong proficiency with physical/wave/Fourier optics principles \nStrong proficiency with modeling and scripting tools such as ZEMAX, Code V, FRED, or similar.\nExpertise in tolerance analysis, stray-light, and scattering analysis.\nDeep experience with precision optical, micro-optic, and/or fiber-optic components.\nHands-on laboratory skills for setting up, testing, validating, and troubleshooting optical, fiber-optic, and opto-mechanical subsystems.\nKnowledge of optical fabrication processes (molded, polished, diamond-turned) as well as micro-structured components.\nAbility to influence system-level decisions, present technical recommendations, and work across disciplines.\nWhat's in it for you:\nBe part of a fast paced and dynamic team\nVery competitive compensation and meaningful stock grants\nExceptional benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and more\nUnlimited PTO: We care about results, not punching timecards","description_format":"text","description_chars":3079,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Unlimited PTO"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Autonomous Driving","Machine Vision & 3D Cameras"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-28T12:36:53Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 17 · green card filings: 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