Optical Engineer

Gentex Corp • Simpson, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Optical Engineer is a subject matter expert responsible for designing, modeling, characterizing, and developing optical systems and eyewear products for commercial and military applications. Areas include ballistic protection, variable light transmission, laser eye protection, and visual display technologies. The role provides technical leadership in optical physics and materials, connecting fundamental physics, materials, coatings, and process conditions to system-level performance from concept through production transfer.

The position leads optical design and analysis, develops models and laboratory characterization methods, and serves as a technology lead and principal investigator for government and commercial optics programs. It also supports business and product-development teams, technology roadmaps, proposals, budgets, and resource planning; mentors technical staff; represents the company with customers and research partners; and helps transition technologies and products from development to production.

The position is based at Gentex’s Carbondale, Pennsylvania facility. Limited travel is required. Work is primarily in a climate-controlled environment, with occasional work in warehouse or manufacturing areas that may have changing temperatures or noise. Pre-employment drug, alcohol, and background screening is required.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Physics, Optical Science/Engineering, Materials Science, or a related engineering discipline with an optics focus, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 10 years of experience in a business or research organization focused on optical applications.
• Deep expertise in physical and geometrical optics, including optical system design, laser–matter interaction, stray light, and scattering.
• Proficiency with optical modeling and design tools such as Zemax/OpticStudio or equivalent, and with spectroscopic and radiometric characterization techniques.
• Strong knowledge of optical materials, polymers, wet coating or thin-film processes, and their effects on optical and mechanical performance.
• Ability to functionally manage technical teams, plan and manage projects, and control budgets and resources.
• Experience communicating directly with customers and senior management, including preparing and delivering technical presentations and reports.
• Familiarity with intellectual property, white paper development, and proposal development.
• Knowledge of statistical techniques, experimental design, and data-driven problem solving.
• Ability to work in a self-initiated and self-directed manner while handling multiple projects in parallel.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and project management tools such as MS Project.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret verbal, written, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
• Ability to perform the described physical tasks, including occasionally standing, walking, sitting, handling objects or tools, reaching, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, hearing, tasting, or smelling; may lift or move up to 50 pounds. Required vision abilities may include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision and focus adjustment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading complex technical programs is strongly preferred.
• Experience with optical technologies for eyewear, laser protection, imaging, or display applications, including materials and coatings development and characterization, is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and analysis of optical eyewear lenses and components for ballistic protection, laser protection, and display applications.
• Develop and refine optical models linking design parameters, materials, coating stacks, and process conditions to measurable system performance.
• Plan and conduct laboratory experiments to characterize optical components and systems, including refraction, spectral transmission, reflection, haze, and polarization; correlate findings with models and product requirements.
• Serve as technology lead and principal investigator for key government and commercial optics programs.
• Provide internal technical and opportunity consulting to business, value stream, and new product development teams in program execution and capture.
• Participate in developing technology, research, and product roadmaps in core and adjacent optical technology areas.
• Write or support white papers, proposals, and technical reports.
• Lead or support departmental initiatives to improve technical and operational effectiveness.
• Support budgets, resource planning, and resource allocation for optical new product activities.
• Coach and mentor engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Interface with military and commercial customers, suppliers, universities, and research institutes as an optics subject matter expert.
• Survey literature, patents, conferences, and other technical information streams to identify opportunities and inform product roadmaps.
• Document experimental work and modeling results and help transition technologies and products from development to production.

What This Job Offers

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