Associate Optical Engineer

Associate Optical Engineer

Minimum 40 hrs/week; overtime as needed

Optimax is experiencing exciting growth and expanding our team! Whether you are starting your career or looking for a new challenge, we offer a dynamic work environment, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to contribute to creating cutting-edge optics for a wide range of industries. Apply now and start your career journey with Optimax!

A unique corporate culture combined with a dynamic work environment:

At Optimax, we build lenses that power cutting-edge technologies in aerospace, defense, and consumer electronics. Our optics help shape breakthroughs that benefit humanity and protect our freedom. We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation and teamwork thrive. We are looking for motivated individuals who are eager to learn, grow, and contribute to impactful projects.

Job Summary and Essential Job Duties:

The Associate Optical Engineer is responsible for the design and build of novel optical systems. This may include lens design, tolerancing, specification definition, and/or test planning for opto-mechanical systems. Regular interaction and advisement of mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, and process engineering staff on optical performance and sensitivity will be required. As the engineer grows in the role and joins project teams they will attend and present on customer calls and design reviews. This position may grow in a number of directions of design complexity and hands on testing work depending on candidate’s strengths. This will be a primarily on-site role with travel requirements of approximately 10%, including visits to customer sites or industry and educational conferences as needed.

Through On the Job Training (OJT), the Associate Optical Engineer will:

• Testing and troubleshooting of prototype or production lenses
• Working in cleanroom environments and handling precision optics
• Learning the operation of and performing measurements with precision metrology equipment
• Designing experiments of critical material properties or for specific customer project lens needs
• Serving as subject matter expert for customer-initiated design projects, including both Optimax and customer-initiated designs
• Performing design studies for internal or external lens design feasibility understanding
• Utilizing Optimax developed systems to write and complete process documentation of prototype and production builds
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Advancement through the optical engineer ranks is attained via increasing levels of education, experience, industrial skills, math skills, computing skills, responsibility and leadership potential and effectiveness.

Education Requirements:

• B.S. in Optics, Physics, or equivalent academic program required
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optics preferred
• Prior co-op/internship experience typically a plus
• Specific experience in lens design using Zemax or Code V (Zemax preferred)

Minimum Requirements:

• Knowledge of aberration theory and first order optical layouts
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to collect, interpret, document, and present data
• Ability to work and contribute in a team setting
• Ability to assess complex issues and develop appropriate solutions

Other Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of imaging and non-imaging optics and their quality metrics
• Knowledge in metrology techniques for optical systems
• Matlab or Python programming experience
• Image quality metrology experience, e.g. interferometry or MTF testing
• Prior experience with ISO 10110 optical drawings and their critical features for optical fabrication
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Strong desire to learn new things through continuing education and training

Work Requirements:

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk and hear

• The job may involve prolonged periods of sitting/standing
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp

Work Environment:

• This position works in a manufacturing environment. The noise level can vary from quiet to loud frequencies

• May involve the use of oils and solvents
• Generally works in a clean environment and works to maintain the environment as such

• May require area specific safety training which will be provided upon hire
• The employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use may be required

Compensation & Benefits:

Optimax offers competitive compensation based on experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bonus: 25% Monthly Profit Sharing
• Tuition Assistance: Support for continuing education
• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision options
• 401(k): Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and paid holidays
• Other Benefits: Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA)

ITAR Compliance:

Employment at Optimax Systems, Inc. is subject to export control compliance requirements, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) issued by the United States Department of State, Department of Defense Trade Controls, and the Export Administration Regulations. Learn more about the ITAR here. To meet export control compliance requirements for this position, an applicant must be a “U.S. Person” as defined by applicable regulations or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Person” includes a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Optimax is committed to offering equal opportunity for all candidates. We encourage you to apply regardless of background, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Optimax will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact our Human Resources team at 585-265-1020.