Lead Metrology Engineer

IDEX•West Henrietta, NY

About The Position

As a business unit of IDEX Corporation, IH&S has a long history of driving growth in life sciences and healthcare by embracing innovation and redefining the supplier-customer relationship. The work we do every day allows us to discover key insights and break new ground to create some of the most meaningful technologies that have a lasting impact on companies, industries, and society. One of business segments is called Life Science Optics and we are looking to add more talent to the team. The Lead Engineer, Metrology Engineering is a senior technical leader responsible for executing the development and advancement of measurement systems and methodologies for high-performance optical interference filters. This role is critical to ensuring the accuracy, repeatability, and scalability of metrology solutions supporting volume manufacturing, product development, and R&D. This position combines deep expertise in optical metrology with hands-on system design and technical leadership. The engineer will drive innovation in measurement science, execute technical direction, and enable best-in-class metrology capabilities across both production and engineering environments. This is a highly hands-on individual contributor role, requiring significant direct engagement with optical systems and measurement hardware, while also leading complex projects and influencing cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Master's Degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
Minimum of seven (7) years in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field, preferably in a manufacturing environment
Excellent analytical skills with a strong focus on accuracy and attention to detail
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work and contribute in a virtual team environment
Self-motivated, focused and able to identify needs and implement solutions with minimal supervision
Understanding of fundamental financial concepts, practices, and procedures

Responsibilities

Execute the long-term vision and roadmap for optical metrology capabilities.
Serve as the subject matter expert in optical measurement systems for interference filters and precision optics.
Lead cross-functional initiatives aligning metrology capabilities with product requirements, coating processes, and manufacturing needs.
Evaluate, develop, and deploy advanced measurement technologies and methodologies.
Design and deploy advanced metrology systems supporting both engineering characterization and high volume manufacturing, including technical ownership and evolution of proprietary platforms such as the Kola Deep Spectral Measurement System, a Laser Focus World Gold Innovation Award winner, recognized for setting industry benchmarks in spectral measurement performance and invented by Semrock’s Metrology Engineering team.
Provide deep technical expertise in: High-accuracy spectrophotometry, including transmission and reflection versus wavelength across varying angles of incidence, with understanding of polarization, coherence, and stray light effects Wavefront interferometry for measurement of transmitted wavefront error (TWE), reflected wavefront error (RWE), and optical surface flatness
Develop and maintain robust calibration methods, standards, and measurement best practices. Support external audits.
Perform and lead Measurement System Analysis (MSA), including GR&R, uncertainty quantification, and system validation.
Design, specify, and troubleshoot optical measurement hardware and systems, including: Optical monitoring systems for thin-film coating processes Custom optical test equipment systems and optical bench setups for both production environments and NRE engineering work
Provide expertise in optical source and detector systems, including: Lasers, LEDs, and broadband (white-light) sources Radiometric and photometric power measurements Calibration approaches and long-term stability considerations
Drive integration of optomechanical, optical, and electronic components plus software into reliable, scalable test systems.
Partner closely with manufacturing and process engineering teams to ensure metrology supports yield, process control, and product qualification.
Improve measurement throughput, automation, and data acquisition systems for production environments.
Maintain and improve SPC frameworks tied to optical performance metrics.
Develop frameworks linking metrology data with optical design models and thin-film performance.
Analyze measurement datasets to diagnose product and process issues.
Collaborate with optical design teams to correlate measured vs. modeled results and refine performance predictions.
Develop and maintain metrology standards aligned with ISO, NIST-traceable calibration practices.
Lead system validation, audits, and continuous improvement of measurement reliability.
Ensure compliance with internal quality systems and external customer requirements.
Mentor technicians and engineers across metrology, optics, and manufacturing disciplines.
Uphold high standards for technical rigor and engineering excellence.
Influence engineering practices and provide leadership in technical decision-making.
Represent the organization in technical reviews, customer discussions, and external collaborations.