Senior Optical Engineer

Barco; Kortrijk; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Bonus system

Group insurance

Health insurance

Meal vouchers

Hybrid working culture

20 holidays + 12 compensation days

Continuous learning

Job summary

Barco IX is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer in Kortrijk to design and validate optical subsystems for next-generation projection platforms. You will develop illumination systems with laser, LED and phosphor sources and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team across Belgium and China.

You will apply colour science and optical performance evaluation, while documenting results and supporting industrialization and prototype validation efforts.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics.
• 4–6 years of experience in optical design and product development.
• Strong experience with Ansys Zemax OpticStudio.
• Familiarity with optical tolerancing and stray light analysis.
• Programming in Python for data analysis and processing.
• Knowledge of illumination optics and basic imaging optics.
• Knowledge of colour science, colorimetry and optical performance evaluation.
• Hands-on experience with optical and colour measurement equipment (colorimeter, spectrometers).
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and external suppliers.
• Strong English and/or Dutch communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate and validate optical subsystems for next-generation projection platforms.
• Develop and optimize illumination systems based on laser, LED and phosphor light sources.
• Contribute to imaging optics and projection architecture design and analysis.
• Define optical architectures from light source to DMD and support system integration.
• Specify, evaluate and qualify optical components (lenses, mirrors, filters, homogenizers).
• Perform optical design, optimization and performance analysis using Zemax OpticStudio.
• Apply colour science to achieve target image quality, brightness and colour.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers on specifications and reviews.
• Document designs, analyses and validation results; support industrialization activities.
• Support prototype builds; alignments and system tests with operations/production engineers.

Skills

Python

Optical design

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication (English/Dutch)

Education

Master's degree in Optical Engineering/Physics/Photonics

Tools

Ansys Zemax OpticStudio

Spectrometers

Colorimeters

Job description

At Barco IX (Immersive Experiences business unit) we have a heart for technology and a spirit for creativity. We immerse our audience in experiences they will never forget. The markets for our technologies range from live events, over theme parks and museums to flight simulators. Our IX R&D organization focusses on developing projection and image processing technologies to make these immersive experiences come to life for our customers all over the world. From inspiring people at the Gent Light Festival, through bringing digital art to galleries and museums worldwide, to providing visuals at world's leading concert stages, your work will make it happen!

The function

Barco is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer for its Immersive eXperiences Business unit in Kortrijk.

If you're excited to use your optical engineering skills to develop advanced projection systems with DLP technology and solid-state light sources (laser, LED, phosphor) that lead the industry, this role is a great fit for you.

You'll join an international team of enthusiastic developers from Belgium and China.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, simulate and validate optical subsystems for next-generation projection platforms.
• Develop and optimize illumination systems based on laser, LED and phosphor-based light sources.
• Contribute to the design and analysis of imaging optics and projection architectures.
• Define optical architectures from light source to DMD and support system-level integration.
• Specify, evaluate and qualify optical components such as lenses, dichroic mirrors, filters, homogenizers and relay optics.
• Perform optical design, optimization and performance analysis using Ansys Zemax OpticStudio.
• Apply colour science and colorimetry principles to achieve target image quality, brightness and colour performance.
• Support projection lens definition and specification in collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Perform optical measurements, prototype validation, alignment and system characterization using spectrometers and colorimeters.
• Collaborate closely with mechanics, electronics, software, operations and procurement teams.
• Work with suppliers on component selection, technical reviews and performance improvements.
• Document designs, analyses and validation results and support industrialization activities.
• Support prototype builds; optical alignment, and system-level testing in close cooperation with operations/production engineers.
• Provide maintenance, support, and continuous improvement for existing products.

Profile

• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics or equivalent.
• Minimum 4- 6 years of experience in optical design and product development.
• Strong experience with 'Ansys Zemax OpticStudio'.
• Familiarity with optical tolerancing and stray light analysis.
• Programming experience in Python for data analysis and data processing applications.
• Good knowledge of illumination optics and basic imaging optics.
• Knowledge of colour science, colorimetry and optical performance evaluation.
• Hands-on experience with optical and colour measurement equipment such as colorimeter and spectrometers.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary (mechanics, electronics, software, operations, procurement, etc…) teams and external suppliers.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and/or Dutch.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of DMD-based projection systems and illumination requirements.
• Experience with solid-state light sources including LEDs, lasers and phosphor.
• Experience specifying optical components including lenses, dichroic mirrors and optical filters.
• Experience with optical, imaging or projection- related systems.
• Knowledge of projection lenses is considered a strong asset.

Soft Skills

• Self-motivated and capable of driving technical work packages independently.
• A strong team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proactive, analytical and result driven.
• Detail-oriented, quality-conscious and cost-aware.
• Willing to travel occasionally to suppliers, customers or Barco locations worldwide.

Our offer

You will work in an open and international culture. In this stimulating and challenging environment, we offer you competitive compensation and benefits, including:

Benefits

• A competitive salary package based on experience
• Company car
• Bonus system
• Group insurance
• Health insurance
• Meal vouchers
• Hybrid working culture
• 20 legal holidays + 12 compensation days (Pro-rata)
• Continuous learning opportunities
• A modern and state-of-the-art working environment