Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Alcon Research • Lake Forest, CA

6d

About The Position

At Alcon, the Opto-Mechanical Engineer supports Surgical Instrumentation Research & Development with research, data analysis, and system design related to opto-mechanical engineering. The role serves as a subject-matter expert in ophthalmic diagnostic and visualization surgical instrumentation across mechanical design, opto-mechanics, material science, precision machining, imaging, illumination, microscopes, and optical systems.

The engineer designs, develops, assembles, aligns, measures, tests, analyzes, and troubleshoots diagnostic and visualization devices. The role also supports medical-device development from research and prototyping through validation, pilot builds, risk assessment, manufacturing transition, and production release. Work is performed with cross-functional development teams spanning optics, mechanical, electrical, software, quality assurance, industrial design, and manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of directly related experience; alternatively, high school education plus 8 years of experience or an associate degree plus 4 years of experience.
• Fluency in reading, writing, understanding, and communicating in English.

Nice To Haves

• Domain knowledge in optics, opto-mechanics, precision manufacturing techniques, imaging, illumination, and visualization.
• Knowledge of industry-standard tools and methods for optical, mechanical, and optomechanical engineering.
• Experience with optical and optomechanical metrology and testing practices.
• Vendor and supplier management experience for optical components, complex subsystems, or OEMs.
• Collaborative team-player aptitude, accountability, and perseverance to drive projects to completion.
• Proficiency with CREO (Pro-E), SolidWorks, or equivalent CAD tools; CREO is preferred, along with experience in a PLM or Windchill environment.
• Strong background in designing and developing imaging systems such as microscopes, eyepieces, telescopes, and zoom lenses, as well as ophthalmic diagnostic and visualization devices.
• Proficiency in opto-mechanical system design, optical alignment technology, tolerance analysis, material selection, design for thermalization, bonding, and assembly processes.
• Knowledge of optical design tools such as ZEMAX and familiarity with integrated optical and mechanical design processes.
• In-depth ophthalmic domain knowledge in cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive surgery, or diagnostics.
• Proficiency in Failure Mode Effects Analysis and risk management as applied to medical devices.

Responsibilities

• Apply opto-mechanical engineering expertise to ophthalmic diagnostic and visualization surgical instrumentation across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Perform opto-mechanical design, including lens barrels and housings, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and analysis of thermal, environmental, shock, vibration, integration, stability, and tolerances.
• Conduct design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical-device products.
• Investigate and evaluate existing technologies and develop new methodologies, materials, machines, or processes for ophthalmic medical-device development.
• Design, assemble, align, measure, test, analyze, and troubleshoot diagnostic and visualization devices.
• Understand and integrate optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors within complex subsystems.
• Generate detailed parts-fabrication drawings, including GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Support prototyping, testing, pilot builds, verification and validation, risk assessment, and ramp-up to production release.
• Support documentation and design control through PECN, ECN, and ECP processes in the Windchill PLM platform.
• Develop assembly and alignment fixtures for prototype fabrication and create associated manufacturing assembly and testing processes.
• Support concurrent engineering, design control, and transition to manufacturing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional development teams, including Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, QA, Industrial Design, and Manufacturing.

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Life insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Additional benefits to support health and well-being, financial security, and retirement planning

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time