Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Alcon • Lake Forest, CA

12h • $130,900 - $169,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Alcon is hiring a Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer for its R&D location in Lake Forest, California. The role is part of the Engineering function and focuses on leading teams that design, validate, and optimize optical components and systems. The engineer conducts advanced research, ensures high-precision and regulatory-compliant designs, applies optical modeling expertise to system architecture decisions, and collaborates across functions to develop optical solutions for ophthalmic diagnostic and visualization surgical instrumentation.

The role provides subject-matter expertise across mechanical design, opto-mechanics, optics, fiber optics, materials science, precision machining, imaging, illumination, microscopes, and optical systems. Work includes opto-mechanical design and analysis, medical device research and development, product process upscaling, prototyping, testing, verification and validation, risk assessment, and transition to production. The engineer also supports design control and documentation, manufacturing process development, technical reviews, feasibility studies, and new product development in accordance with Alcon standard operating procedures and applicable quality requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of directly related experience; stated alternatives are high school plus 13 years, associate degree plus 9 years, master’s degree plus 2 years, or Ph.D. plus 0 years.
• Five years of relevant experience.
• Fluency in reading, writing, understanding, and communicating in English.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive relevant opto-mechanical engineering experience with medical devices or similarly regulated products.
• Proficiency in CREO (Pro-E), SolidWorks, or equivalent CAD tools; CREO is preferred, along with experience in a PLM or Windchill environment.
• Experience 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, athermalization design, bonding, and assembly processes.
• Experience with FEA tools such as ANSYS and familiarity with MATLAB and LabView.
• Knowledge of optical design tools such as ZEMAX and Code V, and familiarity with optical/mechanical design integration processes.
• In-depth ophthalmic domain knowledge in cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive surgery, or diagnostics.
• Understanding of design controls according to 21 CFR 820 or ISO 13485.
• Proficiency in Failure Mode Effects Analysis and risk management applied to medical devices.
• Experience with motion control and manufacturing automation.
• Knowledge of industry-standard tools and methods for optical, mechanical, and optomechanical engineering.
• Domain knowledge in optics, opto-mechanics, fiber optics, imaging, illumination, and visualization.
• Knowledge of optical and optomechanical metrology and testing practices.
• Broad knowledge of precision manufacturing techniques and familiarity with assembly of micro-optical and miniature optomechanical components.
• Understanding of architecture design, requirements and risk management, medical device verification and validation, and reusable and single-use consumable medical devices.
• Biomedical product or medical device development experience.
• Vendor and supplier management experience involving optical components, complex subsystems, or OEMs.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple optical engineering projects, including design, validation, and optimization of optical components and systems.
• Conduct research into light behavior, material properties, and optical performance.
• Ensure designs meet high-precision and regulatory requirements.
• Apply optical modeling expertise and make decisions about system architectures.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop optical solutions.
• Follow GxP regulations and Standard Operating Procedures, maintain accurate documentation, perform quality control, and complete required training.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and organizational compliance.
• Provide opto-mechanical engineering subject-matter expertise for ophthalmic diagnostic and visualization surgical instrumentation across mechanical design, opto-mechanics, optics, fiber optics, materials science, precision machining, imaging, illumination, microscopes, and optical systems design.
• Perform opto-mechanical design, including lens barrel and housing design, lens bonding and mounting, and thermal, environmental, shock and vibration, system integration, stability, and tolerance analyses.
• Conduct design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products.
• Investigate 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.
• Integrate optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors into complex subsystems.
• Generate detailed 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 in a product lifecycle management platform.
• Develop assembly and alignment fixtures for prototype fabrication and create associated manufacturing assembly and test processes.
• Support concurrent engineering, design control, and transition to manufacturing.
• Lead feasibility studies and new product development, ensuring design activities follow Alcon SOPs.
• Derive product design requirements from top-level commercial input.
• Identify technical, schedule, and commercial viability risks.
• Lead cross-functional design trade-off discussions and technical reviews to drive design decisions.
• Work with cross-functional development teams, including optics, mechanical, electrical, software, quality assurance, industrial design, and manufacturing.
• Contribute to ideation, the patent portfolio, and corporate strategy development.
• Lead projects through completion with accountability, perseverance, and a collaborative approach.

Benefits

• Robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, and flexible time off.
• Compensation includes fixed and variable pay, with short-term and long-term incentive opportunities for eligible roles.
• Benefits programs support health and well-being, financial security, and retirement planning.
• Relocation assistance is available.

What This Job Offers

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