Senior Optical Engineer

Red 6 • Santa Monica, CA

41d

About The Position

Red 6 is an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) technology startup leading the way in synthetic air combat training. Our primary technology, supporting our ATARS product, enables pilots to simulate the cognitive challenges of flying while accessing realistic, scalable training in dynamic outdoor environments. We're hiring a Senior Optical Engineer to design, prototype, characterize, and productize optical subsystems for next-generation near-eye AR systems-owning your work from concept to customer delivery. You'll contribute to system architecture, drive the detailed design of assigned subsystems, build and run metrology, translate designs to manufacturing, and support integration into helmet-mounted displays.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field (or BS with strong, relevant experience).
• 5-10+ years designing complex optical systems (AR/near-eye/HUD or adjacent domains).
• Proficiency with Code V or Zemax and optical metrology; strong hands-on bench skills.
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for analysis and test automation.
• Demonstrated delivery of optical hardware from concept → manufacturing → integration → customer use.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying HOEs/diffractive optics for illumination, coupling, wavefront/spectral control, and/or combiner roles.
• Background in 3D display design/trade-offs: stereo/multi-view, focus-cue management, visual-comfort optimization.
• Display/backlight integration experience and collaboration in CAD-driven opto-mechanical workflows (e.g., SolidWorks).
• Manufacturing processes, optical QA, supplier qualification, and build acceptance.
• Track record of automated measurement/analysis pipelines and rapid prototyping in R&D environments.
• Mentorship of junior engineers and effective cross-functional collaboration (SW/EE/ME/Systems).

Responsibilities

• System & Subsystem Optical Design (wide-FOV AR): Contribute to system architecture and lead the detailed design of assigned optics; optimize FOV, eyebox, image quality, veiling glare/stray light, and robustness for outdoor use.
• End-to-End Optical Stack (beyond the combiner): Illumination & light delivery - source coupling, beam shaping, homogenization, efficiency.
• Image relay & pupil management - relay optics, eyebox/pupil expansion, telecentricity, distortion control.
• Spectral & surfaces - coatings/filters, polarization management, ghost/flare suppression, baffling/blackening.
• Integration optics - windows, alignment features, environmental/thermal considerations, tolerance stacks.
• Holographic / Diffractive Optics (multi-role): Evaluate and apply holographic optical elements (HOEs) and other diffractives for illumination shaping, in/out-coupling, wavefront/spectral control, and-where appropriate-combiner functions, with a practical eye toward manufacturability.
• 3D Visual Displays: Bring a working understanding of 3D display technologies (stereoscopic, multi-view, varifocal/vergence-accommodation approaches, light-field-adjacent concepts) and human-factors trade-offs (depth cues, comfort, latency, clarity).
• Characterization & Metrology: Design and operate test setups; define metrics; automate analysis (Python/C++); ensure model-to-measurement correlation and repeatability across the full path.
• Design for Manufacturing: Own tolerances and acceptance criteria for your parts/assemblies; partner with manufacturing and opto-mechanical teams to achieve yield and reliability targets.
• Integration & Delivery: Support alignment, verification, and acceptance for customer delivery; capture field feedback and drive targeted design/process updates.
• Supplier Collaboration: Help draft technical requirements, review vendor proposals, qualify components, and manage build acceptance for your work packages.
• Documentation: Produce clear drawings, test reports, and decision reviews that de-risk R&D → Production → Customer handoff.

Benefits

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision (100% coverage for Employees)
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, paid holidays, and parental leave
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Worksite Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees