Optical Engineer

Prolific Machines•Emeryville, CA

6d•$115,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Prolific Machines is at the forefront of biotechnology, developing an innovative optogenetic platform that offers precise control over cellular behavior. This platform enables dynamic and tunable control of cellular functions, empowering partners to achieve significant advantages in efficiency, quality, and reproducibility for complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins. The company is backed by prominent investors such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield, and SOSV. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on optical systems, robotic calibration, automation, and the characterization of light-biological interactions. The position involves owning and enhancing optical calibration processes for illumination systems and characterizing the optical properties of hardware and biological systems. Working closely with the Lead Optical Engineer, the role will contribute to optical simulations, modeling, prototyping, and experiments that guide system design and performance. Collaboration with Hardware, Data, Biology, and Bioprocess Engineering teams is key to understanding the intricate relationships between light delivery, bioreactor conditions, and cell culture performance. The work encompasses laboratory experimentation, optical characterization, data analysis, simulation, and system development, translating fundamental insights into reliable engineering solutions. This role offers the potential for increasing ownership of optical subsystems and technical projects, ultimately contributing to faster and more cost-effective therapeutics manufacturing and expanding the applications of Prolific's illumination technology. Success requires strong systems thinking, comfort with both scientific and engineering approaches, and a proactive attitude towards pioneering solutions in a field with limited academic research. The position is primarily based on-site in Emeryville, CA.

Requirements

PhD, MS with 2+ years, or BS with 4+ years of industry experience, in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Photonics, Physics, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
Strong foundation in optics, including geometric optics, radiometry, and optical measurement techniques.
Hands-on experience setting up, aligning, characterizing, and troubleshooting optical systems in a laboratory environment.
Experience developing and executing calibration procedures for illumination systems, optical components, and sensors.
Experience using optical measurement equipment such as spectrometers, photodiodes, power meters, cameras, or related instrumentation.
Experience working with light sources and optical delivery components, including LEDs, lasers, and fiber optics.
Proficiency with Python for instrument control, automation, data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
Demonstrated ability to design and execute experiments, analyze data, and communicate conclusions clearly.
Experience debugging complex systems involving optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components.
Ability to develop clear, reproducible documentation for calibration methods, experimental procedures, results, and technical findings.
Ability to translate physical models and experimental results into practical engineering recommendations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with tissue optics and/or scattering media optics.
Experience performing non-sequential optical modeling using software such as LightTools, SPEOS, FRED, COMSOL, or similar.
Basic laboratory skills including experience working with pipettes and making dilutions.
Experience using an integrating sphere for optical property characterization.
Familiarity with uncertainty analysis, measurement repeatability, error propagation, and calibration best practices.
Exposure to biological, biotech, pharmaceutical, or bioprocessing applications.
Familiarity with optogenetics, cell culture, bioreactors, or interactions between light and biological systems.
Experience working on multidisciplinary projects involving optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and biological systems.
Experience with CAD, mechanical prototyping, machining, 3D printing, or other techniques used to rapidly build and iterate experimental hardware.

Responsibilities

Own and continuously improve the calibration systems and processes used to characterize and validate Prolific’s illumination hardware.
Support the Lead Optical Engineer's optical simulation and modeling efforts, contributing measurements, analysis, and prototypes that inform system design and performance, with opportunity to grow into running simulations and owning modeling workstreams over time.
Develop and execute experiments to characterize light delivery within complex bioreactor geometries and operating conditions, analyzing the resulting measurements to identify trends, validate optical models, and improve understanding of system performance.
Collaborate closely across mechanical, electrical, firmware, data, biology, and bioprocess engineering to connect optical performance with cell culture behavior and process outcomes.
Contribute to projects that deepen Prolific’s understanding of the relationship between light, bioreactor environments, and biological response, helping translate those insights into improved illumination systems and new applications.