{"id":3610254,"url":"https://alion.io/job/alcon-principal-optical-engineering-rd","title":"Principal, Optical Engineering - R&D","company":{"id":5809,"name":"Alcon","domain":"alcon.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/alcon","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":89,"open_postings":55,"ghost_share":0.055,"stale_share":0.273,"repost_share":0.091,"time_to_fill_p50_days":29,"computed_at":"2026-11-08T05:47:12Z"}},"role":"Semiconductors","role_family":"Semiconductors","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Lake Forest, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":130900,"max":169400,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":169400},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-02T13:50:59Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-02","last_verified_at":"2026-11-08T02:33:17Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":5,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":5},"description":"At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?\nThe Principal I, Optical Engineering (Science/Tech/Engineering Path), is primarily responsible for managing complex optical engineering projects, including designing, developing, and testing optical systems. You will provide technical guidance, build effective relationships with product development teams, and optimize optical designs while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Specifics include:\nThis role is on-site in our Lake Forest, CA location and a typical day would include:\nManage complex optical engineering projects, designing, developing, and testing optical systems that enhance light manipulation, imaging precision, and material interactions.\nProvide technical guidance and collaborate with product development teams.\nMake informed decisions on optical designs, component selection, and performance optimization.\nContribute to improving optical system functionality, safety, and manufacturability. • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and adhere to GxP regulations by strictly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).\nMaintain accurate and complete documentation and ensure rigorous quality control.\nComplete all required training and meet individual job requirements.\nContribute to the overall compliance of the organization and commit to continuous improvement.\nWhat You’ll Bring to Alcon:\nBachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs)\nThe ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English\n5 Years of Relevant Experience\nHow You Can Thrive at Alcon:\nSee your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities\nJoin Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!\nAlcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.\nTravel - up to 10%\nSponsorship - No\nRelocation - No\nAlcon Careers\nSee your impact at alcon.com/careers\nATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker\nIf you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.\nFind Jobs for Employees\nFind Jobs for Contingent Worker\nCompensation and Benefits\nAlcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long-term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short-term and long-term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well-being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.\nThe salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.\nPay Range\n$130,900.00 - $169,400.00Pay Frequency\nAnnualAlcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. 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