Director, Optical Engineering

Eikon Therapeutics • Millbrae, CA

1d

About The Position

Eikon Therapeutics is seeking a Director, Optical Engineering to lead a team in designing, developing, and optimizing advanced optical systems for biotechnology research and applications. The role drives optical engineering innovation and contributes to systems used for biological imaging, data acquisition, and analysis.

The Director oversees optical engineering projects from ideation and design through prototyping, testing, and validation. The position works closely with software, data analysis, biology, chemistry, and other teams to integrate optical systems into broader solutions. It also involves mentoring engineers, conducting optical characterization and data analysis, building external partnerships, documenting designs and experimental outcomes, and ensuring safety, ethical, and regulatory standards are upheld.

Requirements

• Postgraduate degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 10 or more years of relevant experience.
• At least 4 years of management experience leading an optics team delivering innovative solutions to scientific problems.
• Extensive experience designing and optimizing complex optical systems, specializing in imaging techniques and spectral analysis.
• Proficiency in optical modeling and simulation software such as Zemax or Code V.
• Experience delivering optical projects applied to biology and some understanding of fundamental molecular cell biology.
• Experience overseeing the assembly, calibration, and validation of advanced optical systems.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including interpreting complex optical data and extracting meaningful insights.
• In-depth knowledge of optical components, detectors, imaging devices, microscopy systems, and lasers.
• Experience developing optical solutions across product maturity levels, from proof of concept and prototyping through pilot and production.
• Ability to solve complex problems, troubleshoot optical systems, and maintain their functionality.
• Outstanding communication and leadership skills, including the ability to facilitate collaboration across diverse teams and navigate inter-team dynamics.
• Awareness of emerging optical technologies, trends, and industry developments.
• Competency in collecting, analyzing, and managing large data sets.
• Commitment to ethical standards, optical safety practices, and regulatory mandates in laboratory and workshop environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of optical engineers in conceptualizing, designing, and refining optical systems for biotechnology research and applications.
• Apply optical engineering expertise and knowledge of biological and technological domains to develop solutions for imaging, data acquisition, and analysis challenges.
• Oversee optical engineering projects from ideation and design through prototyping, testing, and validation.
• Collaborate with software, data analysis, biology, chemistry, and other cross-functional teams to integrate optical systems into comprehensive solutions.
• Mentor team members and support their professional growth while fostering continuous learning and innovation.
• Stay current with emerging optical technologies, tools, and industry trends and contribute to advancing optical engineering methodologies.
• Conduct optical characterization and analysis and derive insights from complex optical data.
• Develop strategic partnerships with external vendors, suppliers, and collaborators.
• Maintain documentation of optical designs, methodologies, and experimental outcomes.
• Uphold safety, ethical, and regulatory compliance standards in optical engineering work.

Benefits

• Bonus and equity compensation
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Medical insurance, with premiums covered by Eikon at 95%
• Dental and vision insurance, with premiums covered by Eikon at 100%
• Mental health and wellness benefits
• Weeklong summer and winter holiday shutdowns
• Generous paid time off and holiday policies
• Life and AD&D insurance, with premiums covered by Eikon at 100%, plus optional supplemental employee-paid policies
• Enhanced parental leave benefit
• Daily subsidized lunch program when on-site

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director