Sr Mechanical Engineer - Illumination Optics

Garmin International, Inc.•Olathe, KS

About The Position

Garmin is seeking a full-time experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer - Illumination Optics for its Explorations Team. The role is based at Garmin’s headquarters in the Kansas City area or at its site in Cary, North Carolina. The team develops product-enabling technologies intended to support products across Garmin’s business segments and expedite their development. This position explores lighting applications involving signal, conspicuity, and forward illumination systems. The engineer will design and develop custom non-imaging optical systems, perform optical simulation and analysis, translate optical surfaces into manufacturable mechanical components, and develop optical and photometric requirements and performance standards. The role works with industrial design, mechanical, electrical, optical, and illumination engineering colleagues to balance product goals with integration, thermal, power, and manufacturing constraints. The position also involves investigating technologies; developing, testing, validating, and prototyping concepts; supporting technology transfer to product development teams; performing benchmark testing and competitive analysis; and completing complex mechanical designs. The engineer will coordinate with factories and vendors on processes, materials, feasibility, and design risks; contribute to estimates and project planning; lead explorations of new technologies; mentor Level 1 and Level 2 engineers; and travel overseas as required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and at least 5 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Master CAD-user able to complete the most difficult tasks; SolidWorks or Onshape preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge and capability using CAD software to complete complex mechanical designs.
Strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Engineering, Optics, or Physics.
At least 5 years of illumination-systems development experience in automotive exterior or interior lighting or a related application.
Proficiency with optical software; LucidShape preferred, with LightTools, Zemax, or Speos also listed.
Experience designing custom reflectors and solid optics using optics software and manual ray-tracing methods in mechanical CAD.
Understanding of optical-system test methodologies.
Understanding of thermal management for LEDs and associated drivers.
Experience with dynamic, digital, and software-controlled lighting systems.
Understanding of CAE and simulation methods.
Experience conducting CFD or FEA simulation for early thermal verification of lighting systems.
Electronic packaging design experience.

Responsibilities

Design and develop custom non-imaging optical systems for consumer electronics applications.
Conduct optical simulation and analysis for concept development and design-change verification.
Transform optical surfaces into manufacturable mechanical component models.
Collaborate with industrial design, mechanical, electrical, optical, and illumination engineers throughout development.
Define optical boundary constraints based on industrial design goals, electromechanical integration, thermal limitations, power budgets, and design for manufacturing.
Develop optical and photometric requirements to meet product goals.
Own development of optical design standards and specifications used to evaluate optical-system performance.
Develop illumination concepts to a level suitable for tradeoff analyses and risk-versus-reward decisions.
Perform benchmark testing and competitive analysis.
Explore innovative mechanical concepts and complete complex mechanical designs.
Conduct technology investigations, design, testing and validation, and prototyping; support technology transfer to product development teams.
Use CAD software to complete complex mechanical designs.
Apply GD&T and tolerance analysis knowledge.
Work with factories and vendors to negotiate processes, materials, and design feasibility.
Manage basic tradeoffs, determine risk-mitigation plans, assess project goal and objective feasibility, provide technical input to product development plans and concept documents, and drive process vendors to evaluate complex mechanical designs and understand risks.
Lead explorations of new technologies and estimate tooling, part cost, and design time for moderately complex mechanical designs.
Mentor Level 1 and Level 2 engineers.
Travel overseas as required.