Senior Optical Engineer, R&D
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 13, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 12, 2026. Clera scores B on the Alion truth index.
About the Role
Lead optical system design and technical investigations for a defense technology platform developing autonomous directed-energy systems. You will partner with mechanical and electrical engineers to turn optical designs into robust hardware.
What You'll Do
Lead optical design and analysis for core system components.
Run optical investigations and trade studies to guide system-level design decisions.
Specify and evaluate optical components and subsystem architectures.
Collaborate with mechanical engineers on optical packaging, housing, and integration.
Perform tolerance analysis, validate performance, and guide design iterations.
Lead alignment, characterization, and testing of integrated optical systems.
Work with vendors and fabricators on manufacturability, tolerancing, and feasibility.
Establish best practices for optical development, validation, and technical documentation.
What We're Looking For
5 to 10 or more years of experience in optical engineering, optical design, or related physics-based systems work.
Experience designing and analyzing optical systems built and operated as real hardware, including alignment, characterization, and hands-on debugging.
Ability to lead optical investigations and trade studies, apply optical theory from first principles, and make system-level design decisions.
Experience with optical component selection, vendor collaboration, tolerance analysis, and performance validation.
Mechanical fluency for effective collaboration on packaging and integration.
Experience with high-power laser optics, ruggedized beam delivery, beam directors, collimators, fast steering mirrors, adaptive optics, or laser communications is relevant.
Familiarity with Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V and approximately 1 micron Yb fiber laser systems is useful.
Bachelor's or master's degree in optical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary: $150,000 to $200,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Location
On-site in San Francisco, California, United States.