Director, Optical Engineering

Eikon Therapeutics•Millbrae, CA

2d•$242,000 - $291,900

About The Position

Eikon Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company using technology at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, computation, and biology to discover treatments for life-threatening diseases. Its discovery platform uses microscopes developed from groundbreaking innovations by its founders to measure protein movement in living cells in real time at molecular resolution. The Director, Optical Engineering will lead a team in designing, developing, and optimizing advanced optical systems for biotechnology research. The role oversees optical engineering projects from ideation and design through prototyping, testing, and validation, and works closely with software, data analysis, biology, chemistry, and other teams to integrate optical systems into broader solutions. The Director also mentors team members, analyzes optical data, builds external partnerships, documents designs and experimental outcomes, and ensures safety, ethical, and regulatory standards are upheld.

Requirements

Postgraduate degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 10+ years of relevant experience.
At least 4 years of management experience leading an optics team delivering solutions to scientific problems.
Extensive experience designing and optimizing complex optical systems, specializing in imaging techniques and spectral analysis.
Proficiency with optical modeling and simulation software such as Zemax or Code V.
Experience delivering optical projects applied to biology and understanding of fundamental molecular cell biology.
Leadership experience overseeing assembly, calibration, and validation of advanced optical systems.
Strong analytical skills for interpreting complex optical data and extracting 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.
Strong communication and leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate across diverse teams and navigate inter-team dynamics.
Awareness of emerging optical technologies, trends, and industry developments.
Competency in large data set collection, analysis, and management.
Commitment to ethical standards, optical safety practices, and regulatory mandates in laboratory and workshop environments.

Responsibilities

Lead optical engineers in conceptualizing, designing, and refining optical systems for biotech research and applications.
Drive innovation and develop solutions to 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, fostering continuous learning and innovation.
Stay informed about emerging optical technologies, tools, and industry trends and contribute to advances in 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 standards in optical engineering work.