Principal R&D Engineer (Optical)

Nordson Test & Inspection, a global leader in X-Ray & Test Systems and Optical Sensors and Metrology, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we are looking for candidates who share that same commitment.

Summary of the role

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, where your ideas and contributions will be valued and respected.

Position Summary

At Nordson Test & Inspection, we develop advanced inspection and metrology solutions used throughout semiconductor, advanced packaging, PCB assembly, and electronics manufacturing processes, helping the world's leading electronics manufacturers improve quality, increase yield, and accelerate innovation.

We are seeking a Principal Optical Systems Development Engineer to lead development of next-generation optical inspection and measurement technologies. In this hands-on role, you will tackle complex system-level challenges, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and influence products from early concept through commercialization. If you enjoy solving difficult technical problems and translating innovation into customer value, we would like to hear from you.

The successful candidate will bring deep optical systems expertise and the ability to lead multidisciplinary investigations involving optics, illumination, cameras, precision mechanics, motion systems, electronics, software, and algorithms. The role works with specialists in these disciplines and partners closely with Systems Engineering, which owns formal requirements, system architecture, interfaces, and performance allocation. This position focuses on optical development, integration, technical investigations, and solution evaluation that inform those decisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead development and integration of optical imaging, illumination, machine-vision, inspection, and metrology systems for current and future products.
• Provide technical leadership for complex optical development efforts and multidisciplinary investigations, driving decisions and issues to resolution across the product lifecycle.
• Own prototype bring-up, optical integration, alignment, calibration, performance evaluation, and associated measurement methods.
• Evaluate and improve system performance through experimentation, data analysis, system characterization, and root-cause investigation.
• Define and execute test strategies that validate optical and measurement performance during feasibility, prototyping, system integration, design verification, and product development.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, algorithms, systems, manufacturing, and product teams to evaluate tradeoffs and develop practical product solutions.
• Translate performance gaps and technical findings into design, calibration, process, or test-method improvements, and clearly communicate risks, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Support product transition from development through pilot builds, manufacturing introduction, release, and production support.
• Identify technology opportunities, develop proof-of-concept systems, contribute to product and platform strategies, and mentor engineers across projects and programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 10+ years of product-development experience, including demonstrated technical leadership and impact on complex engineering products.
• Hands-on experience developing, integrating, or troubleshooting optical imaging, machine-vision, inspection, or metrology systems, with demonstrated expertise in one or more areas such as image quality, optical performance, alignment, calibration, measurement accuracy, or system characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze data, identify root causes, and convert findings into practical engineering recommendations.
• Experience advancing multidisciplinary products from concept or prototype through integration and production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with automated optical inspection, precision measurement, or machine vision.
• Experience evaluating or optimizing optical system performance, including calibration, characterization, or metrology applications.
• Experience with system modeling, test automation, design verification, or manufacturing introduction.

Working Conditions

• Regular on-site laboratory presence is required for integration, experimentation, and testing.
• Occasional travel to suppliers, manufacturing sites, or customer locations is expected, generally less than 10%.
• Ability to perform hands-on assembly and alignment activities and lift equipment or assemblies weighing up to 35 pounds.

Compensation

Base Salary for this position is: $135,000-$170,000 annually, and bonus target is 3%; Benefits include Medical, Rx, Vision, Dental, and Health Savings Account (HSA), Retirement and Security benefits including 401k and Life Insurance. In addition to Paid Time Off and paid Holidays, each employee receives 16 hours paid time each calendar year to perform volunteer services for Nordson-sponsored events. Ample opportunities for giving exist at Nordson including our Matching Gifts Program.

The base pay range for this job level is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to internal equity, business considerations, and local market conditions, as well as candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, and skills

Interested?

If you are interested in being a part of a team and creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, please apply online with your CV.

About Nordson Test & Inspection

Nordson Test & Inspection manufactures world-class metrology equipment and inspection systems to ensure electronic products are built to meet the highest standards. We use X-ray inspection, acoustic imaging, and optical inspection technologies to create testing systems that enable the identification of even the smallest defects at high resolution. By joining our team today, you will help us bring innovative ideas to life. Nordson Test & Inspection is a global team that works to create machines and systems that improve the manufacturing process for a wide range of industries, including electronics, aerospace, automotive, energy, lighting, and medical. We offer a supportive culture in a growing and dynamic work environment. Whether you're just beginning your career or you're a seasoned professional, there's a place for you to belong at Nordson Test & Inspection. We offer hourly and salary positions in production, maintenance, customer service, quality, engineering, and more. We actively invest in our teams to help you build your skillsets and advance your career.