Principal Optomechanical Design Engineer

Neurophos • Austin, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The optomechanical team is responsible for the physical design and integration of the OPU’s free-space optical path, fiber-coupled subsystems, and photonic packaging. This is the precision mechanical backbone that enables our optical processing engine to operate within the exacting tolerances required for analog compute. The Principal Optomechanical Design Engineer will own the optomechanical architecture from concept through production and will be the recognized expert in precision optical-mechanical design across the company, working closely with optical, photonics, electrical, and systems engineering teams.

Requirements

• PhD or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline (PhD preferred).
• 10+ years of hands-on opto-mechanical design experience, with a demonstrated track record of taking precision optical systems from concept through volume production.
• Deep expertise in free-space optical system design, including beam shaping, collimation, spatial light modulator integration, and interferometric layouts.
• Strong background in photonic packaging and fiber optic integration — PM fiber, FAU, and active alignment.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks or CREO) and GD&T; experience with optical analysis tools (Zemax/OpticStudio or equivalent) to support tolerance studies.
• Solid understanding of material selection for opto-mechanical stability and thermal management; experience with precision flexure mechanisms and kinematic mounts is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to influence optical, photonic, and electrical design across disciplines to ensure system-level alignment and mechanical integrity.
• Strong communicator, able to convey complex opto-mechanical concepts to both technical and executive audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in a fast-moving startup environment is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the end-to-end opto-mechanical architecture for the OPU, spanning free-space optical paths, fiber-coupled subsystems, and photonic chip packaging.
• Lead tolerance analysis (RSS/Monte Carlo) and develop opto-mechanical error budgets for wavefront quality, pointing stability, throughput, and fiber coupling efficiency.
• Design precision mechanical assemblies for beam-shaping, collimation, polarization management, and alignment of free-space optical elements.
• Develop packaging and integration strategies for single-mode and polarization-maintaining fiber assemblies, including active and passive alignment approaches.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) practices to ensure repeatable, cost-effective production of precision optical subsystems.
• Own environmental qualification of opto-mechanical assemblies, including vibration, thermal cycling, shock, and long-term stability testing.
• Define material selection strategies for opto-mechanical stability — including Invar, titanium, and low-CTE materials — and thermal management approaches.
• Develop and maintain CAD models, GD&T drawings, and engineering documentation; partner with vendors and contract manufacturers to qualify precision components.
• Act as the company-wide opto-mechanical authority, ensuring mechanical design requirements are treated as P0 across all photonic and optical subsystems.
• Represent opto-mechanical design in system reviews, own relevant sections of system requirements documents, and communicate status and risk to technical and executive audiences.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.
• Unlimited PTO.
• 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities.
• Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.
• Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don’t.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree