Optical Systems Engineer

TTM Technologies•Stafford Springs, CT

About The Position

TTM Technologies is seeking an Optical Systems Engineer with strong optics and photonics fundamentals and a hands-on approach to designing, building, and evaluating optical systems. The engineer will connect optical theory and modeling with experimental results, translate evolving technical needs into practical designs and measurement approaches, and collaborate across mechanical, electrical, controls, and manufacturing disciplines. The position provides optical engineering expertise for emerging technologies, experimental platforms, and manufacturing capabilities. Work spans feasibility studies and optical architecture through prototype integration, performance characterization, and support for manufacturing implementation. Opportunities range from early-career through senior technical levels; independent design ownership and technical leadership will reflect demonstrated capability. Experienced engineers may serve as optical subject matter experts and guide system-level technical decisions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with substantial optics-related education or demonstrated practical experience.
Strong understanding of optical fundamentals and ability to apply them to practical design and measurement problems.
Hands-on experience building, aligning, testing, or troubleshooting optical systems, with understanding of the physical principles governing their operation.
Experience using analytical methods, optical simulation, scientific programming, or experimental data analysis to inform engineering decisions.
Working understanding of mechanical positioning and stability, sensors and actuators, data acquisition, and feedback concepts sufficient to collaborate on integrated systems.
Ability to distinguish optical behavior from measurement artifacts, identify important uncertainties, and design experiments that resolve technical questions.
Ability to work with incomplete requirements, seek appropriate guidance, and revise an approach based on evidence and feedback.
Clear technical communication, reproducible documentation, and commitment to applicable optical and laser safety practices.
Must comply with TTM Export Control Policies and Procedures and applicable laws, including ITAR, EAR, and OFAC requirements.
For senior-level opportunities, demonstrated ability to independently define optical architectures and validation strategies, assess technical risk, and provide subject matter guidance across disciplines.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree with relevant experimental or design work.
Experience in optical product development, instrumentation, research, manufacturing technology development, or comparable hands-on engineering work.
Experience with fiber optics, waveguides, optical interconnects, or free-space optical systems.
Experience with interferometry, optical sensing, imaging, illumination, polarization, or laser-based instrumentation.
Experience with optical design and simulation tools such as Zemax, LightTools, COMSOL, or comparable software.
Scientific programming, instrument control, and data analysis experience using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or comparable tools.
Experience with optical alignment automation, machine vision, or closed-loop optimization.
Experience with thermal, mechanical, or material effects on optical performance.
Experience transitioning experimental optical systems into robust products, repeatable test platforms, or manufacturing applications.

Responsibilities

Translate functional objectives into optical requirements, system concepts, and verification approaches; identify critical unknowns, evaluate architectures, and define interfaces with mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
Develop and evaluate optical designs using analytical methods and appropriate simulation tools, applying ray optics, wave optics, or coupled physical models as needed.
Develop optical performance budgets and analyze sensitivity to component variation, alignment, source and detector characteristics, and environmental conditions; turn findings into requirements for components, mechanical design, positioning, and control.
Design, assemble, align, and troubleshoot optical experiments and prototype systems; select and integrate sources, detectors, optical components, positioning hardware, and instrumentation.
Develop characterization methods to determine whether components and systems meet requirements, including test configurations, reference measurements, calibration needs, acceptance criteria, and consideration of measurement uncertainty and artifacts.
Collaborate with mechanical and controls engineers on mounting, stability, motion, sensing, and feedback requirements, and help resolve integration issues while maintaining focus on system objectives.
Develop or support instrument control, automated measurements, signal processing, and data-analysis workflows; compare experimental results with model predictions, investigate discrepancies, and refine designs or test methods.
Specify optical components and instruments, evaluate supplier capabilities and technical data, support make-or-buy decisions, and work with vendors or external specialists to resolve performance issues.
Identify optical performance drivers to control during assembly, inspection, and operation; work with process, opto-mechanical, and reliability engineers on manufacturing tests and evaluation under relevant environmental conditions.
Prepare optical specifications, design analyses, test procedures, and technical reports; communicate assumptions, limitations, and recommendations.
At more experienced levels, establish optical development strategies, lead technical reviews, mentor others, and identify when additional specialist expertise is needed.