Product Development Engineer II

Picarro, Inc • Santa Clara, CA

21d • $120,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Product Development Engineer to join our dynamic R&D team. This position is pivotal to our prototype development initiatives, requiring the transformation of novel optical concepts from functional benchtop systems into production-ready products. The successful candidate will contribute significantly throughout the product development lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, build and test advanced laser-based systems and cutting-edge optical prototypes. The role reports directly to the R&D Director of Opto-Mechanical Engineering.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Three to five years of direct experience in electro-optomechanical component testing, prototype development, and system design.
• Proficient at troubleshooting electro-optomechanical assemblies and electrical PCBs using circuit diagrams.
• Demonstrated ability to lay out, assemble, and align complex optical benchtop setups while ensuring accurate optical performance and stability.
• Thorough knowledge of optical principles, including aberrations, polarization, and light propagation.
• Extensive experience selecting optical components—such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, filters, and detectors—for diverse applications and mounting approaches.
• Skilled in developing and executing test plans to characterize and validate optical prototypes, resolve technical issues, and implement design enhancements.
• Familiarity with metrology tools and techniques for optical alignment and characterization.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to clearly articulate technical concepts.
• Ability to operate independently as well as collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with scripting or programming for data analysis and instrument control.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated expertise in electro-optomechanical packaging and micro-optics, with careful consideration for thermal management and assembly processes.
• Experienced in highly reflective coatings, fiber optic technologies, adherence to cleanroom protocols, and implementation of effective cleaning techniques for optical components.
• Proficient in the selection and application of various optical epoxies and operating dispense systems.
• Experienced in conducting comprehensive environmental testing, including vibration, shock, and thermal assessments.
• Successfully transitioned NPI production lines into full-scale manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the opto-mechanical design and development of advanced optical systems, with emphasis on early-stage prototyping and subsequent transition to pilot production.
• Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) reflecting current methodologies, formulate new processes aligned with industry best practices, establish and maintain assembly and testing stations, and facilitate staff training.
• Evaluate and select suitable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) as well as custom-designed optical, mechanical, and electro-optical components, considering performance criteria, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability.
• Leverage strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address technical challenges within a dynamic research and development environment.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees