Senior Optical Design Engineer

Optopax

5d•$70 - $90•Remote

About The Position

Optopax is a Silicon Valley–based design and OEM manufacturing company delivering integrated AI imaging solutions—from concept through prototyping to production. We specialize in AI‑enabled camera modules, high‑precision optics across UV to LWIR, and custom embedded systems powering robotics, industrial vision, submersible imaging, biomedical devices, AR/VR optics, medical and optical computing. Join our small, global team headquartered in San Jose, CA on a mission to engineer and manufacture camera solutions that transform how machines see, through custom optics, sensor integration, and embedded imaging platforms. As a Senior Optical Design Engineer, you’ll lead the development of advanced optical systems—taking ideas from simulation through validation and integration into Optopax’s end‑to‑end imaging platforms. You’ll drive innovation and help strengthen our capabilities in photonics, AI cameras, and embedded vision. We are open to remote candidates within the US with a preference for Bay Area candidates to work on-site alongside the Executive Management team in San Jose, CA. This is a contract engagement with strong potential to extend or convert to full-time if located in California.

Requirements

Master’s or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Minimum 5+ years experience in optical design and engineering—ideally handling advanced, multi‑element systems.
High proficiency with optical design and simulation tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V and others).
Strong fundamentals in geometrical and physical optics design methodology, optical fabrication techniques, DFM, tolerancing, and metrology.
Experience in design documentation and cross-functional collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Background in imaging systems for robotics, embedded cameras, LWIR, biomedical, AR/VR, sensors, or AI vision modules (reflecting Optopax’s core markets).
Exposure to prototyping processes including wafer‑level optics, active alignment, cleanroom assembly, or rapid prototyping workflows.
Familiarity with optical test stations or imaging qualification methods (a pillar of Optopax’s product offerings).
Experience in team leadership or mentoring, and process improvement with a proven track record of success
Programming or scripting skill (MATLAB, Python) for automation of analyses or data processing.

Responsibilities

Lead design, simulation, tolerancing, and optimization of complex optical systems using tools such as Ansys Optics Studio (Zemax), Code V, LightTools, Lumerical, Quadoa, or equivalent.
Perform stray‑light, ray‑trace, wavefront, photon budget, and design for manufacturability (DFM) analyses (e.g., Monte‑Carlo tolerancing).
Translate customer specifications into detailed design requirements; collaborate across mechanical, electrical, firmware/software, and manufacturing teams for system integration and prototyping.
Guide validation of designs via lab testing, metrology, and performance measurement (e.g., MTF, distortion, SNR, wavefront).
Mentor and support junior optical engineers and cross‑functional partners, establishing design best practices and documentation.
Drive innovation through research into new optical technologies, materials, coatings, and manufacturing techniques, informing future product strategies.
Drive critical technical communications / negotiations with customers to ensure optical solutions align with performance, cost, and manufacturability goals.