Optical Engineer

High End Systems•Middleton, WI

About The Position

ETC, the world leader in Theatrical Lighting, is growing again and has openings for Optical Design Engineers. Join the team that will bring the next generation of LED lighting products to a theatre, TV studio, or movie set near you! We're open to candidates of all experience levels, who can share their experience and knowledge as we continue to make cutting edge products for our customers around the globe. Strong candidates will have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree, experience designing optical/photonic systems, and a solid understanding of optical component design tolerances. Experience with Zemax, TracePro, and Solidworks software is a plus. We're open to candidates working at our international headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin, from our Austin, Texas location, High End Systems. Come join a company with a refreshing work environment, great benefits, and a close knit family of the best coworkers around!

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree
All levels of previous job related experience will be considered
Demonstrates basic written/verbal skills
Has good grasp of grammar and sentence structure for technical writing
Listens/gives constructive feedback
Good group interaction skills
Ability to follow directions and project plans
Demonstrates ability to solve problems of limited scope and perform root cause analysis
Analyzes data using standard, straightforward methods
Grasps technical concepts and asks for clarification and direction when needed
Ability to implement designs for well-defined blocks
Understands and applies accepted engineering principles and practices
Assists with design or modification of a product, service, or process
Experience in the development of optical systems, components, and test equipment and procedures
Good knowledge of illumination optics and beam patterns
Good knowledge of optical design principles, component specification, and tolerances
Good knowledge of various optical production methods
Good knowledge of the use of light measurement equipment (i.e. light meter, color meter, CCD camera)
Good knowledge of the use of electrical test equipment (i.e. voltmeter, scope, power meter)
Good knowledge of the use of mechanical test equipment (i.e. dial calipers, heights gage, feeler gage)

Nice To Haves

Experience with Zemax, TracePro, and Solidworks software is a plus.
Some knowledge of Prometric photometric testing software desirable
Some knowledge of Zemax optical design software desirable

Responsibilities

Performs assigned project tasks under direct supervision of more senior-level engineers.
Participates in the development effort under the direction of management and more senior team members
Makes design modifications or improvements to development projects with supervision
Maintains project reference documentation
Develops test and verification procedures
May be involved in continuing engineering maintenance and manufacturing floor support of existing products
Provides task completion time estimates
Attends identified training classes
Participates as a team member, works effectively in a team environment
Becomes familiar with tools and applications utilized by department
Learns department and corporate policies, procedures and plans
Define acceptable optical performance parameters for ETC's lighting fixtures
Develop procedures to ensure that designed and manufactured fixtures perform to those parameters
Assist mechanical engineer with design of opto-mechanical systems
Develop quantifiable beam and image specifications for new light fixtures based on Marketing specification requirements
Utilize software design and analysis programs to analyze optical elements and systems that meet these specifications
Design and perform experiments to investigate design problems and determine optical element fabrication tolerances
Assist in the preparation, review, and editing of marketing photometric data sheets and technical documents
Assist in Communications with suppliers
Qualify new optical element suppliers
Discuss quality-related problems and work with supplier and Quality to resolve them
Assist Senior optical design engineer in the development of optical portions of the design specification
Develop and conduct and report on photometric testing of ETC & competitive products to benchmark their performance
Compile all photometric testing data and format for insertion into the design specification and publishable photometric data
Assist Senior optical design engineer with the optical validation test plan of a project
Define methods of qualification of optical system and individual optical components
Define methods for verification of performance of the optical system and individual components
Perform photometric and optical component validation testing in conjunction with vendors on mockups, prototypes, and production as required
Develop methods of measuring and maintaining acceptable optical component tolerance in production and monitor optical components and system quality in Manufacturing on a regular basis
Assist with the design and building of optical component test fixtures for QA and production
Provide technical assistance to QA and production on optical components and the use of test fixtures and related equipment
Write Work Instructions for quality control of optical system and individual components, and train Quality personnel in these Work Instructions.
Work with suppliers and QA personnel to resolve any optical quality problems
Verifies ECR/ECOs on optical components
Assist in the creation and maintenance or production test records
Provide training to QA and production personnel on the proper assembly of new products
Write and maintain the photometric and optical test procedure documentation for ISO 9001 quality system
Maintain a library of photometric and other optical testing literature, including standards and references
Responsible for the organization and maintenance of the optical test lab and equipment
Provides technical assistance to other departments, vendors, and customers on optic related matters
Provide input to improve departmental processes and quality
Recommends the purchase of new equipment for departmental improvements
Performs other duties as assigned
Completes special projects and assignments in a positive and timely manner