Senior Optical Design Engineer

Kaleido Technology; Farum; On-site; DKK 750,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaleido Technology is seeking a Senior Optical Design Engineer to lead high-end optical product development from customer requirements to manufacturing and qualification. The role blends optical design, lab testing, and software development, with opportunities to work across international teams and cutting-edge manufacturing processes.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in optical design, strong Zemax skills, and hands-on experience with interferometry, CGHs, and precision optics.

Qualifications

• Strong emphasis on classical optics and practical testing.
• Experience with Zemax design, tolerancing, and manufacturability considerations.
• Proficiency in Matlab and Python for custom tools and data analysis.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into optical solutions across imaging and non-imaging systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform optical system and lens design using Zemax, including tolerancing and optimization.
• Translate customer requirements into practical optical solutions with assembly and measurement in mind.
• Design strategies involving holography, interferometry, CGHs, and compensation.
• Build and commission optical test systems and analyze measurement data.
• Develop custom algorithms and tools in Matlab/Python to interface with design and metrology systems.
• Collaborate with mechanical, manufacturing, software, and process engineers and participate in customer meetings.

Skills

Optical design

Zemax

Tolerance analysis

Python

Matlab

Lab testing

System integration

Cross-functional collaboration

Opto-mechanical design

Measurement systems

Education

MSc or PhD in Optical Engineering or Physics

Tools

CGHs

Interferometry

Job description

Job Purpose

We are seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Senior Optical Design Engineer to develop high-end optical products and technologies from customer requirements through optical design, prototyping, manufacturing, and final qualification.

This is a highly flexible and varied role where priorities evolve as projects develop. One day you may be designing and tolerancing a sophisticated optical system in Zemax; the next you may be developing Matlab or Python algorithms to diagnose a problem in a high-end CNC machining process, designing an optical measurement system, or working hands-on in the laboratory with production engineers. The ideal candidate is a strong optical designer as well as a curious, analytical, and pragmatic engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems across traditional engineering boundaries.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Optical & Lens Design: Perform optical system and lens design using Zemax, including tolerancing, sensitivity analysis, optimization, and design for manufacturability.
• System Integration: Translate customer requirements into practical optical solutions (imaging systems, non-imaging systems, precision opto-mechanical assemblies) with assembly, alignment, and measurement in mind.
• Advanced Optical Techniques: Design and apply strategies involving holography, interferometry, computer-generated holograms (CGHs), and compensation strategies.
• Lab & Production Diagnostics: Build and commission optical test systems, analyze measurement data, and conduct hands-on laboratory work to troubleshoot complex optical and manufacturing issues.
• Software Development: Write custom algorithms, models, analysis tools using Matlab and/or Python to interface with optical design and measurement systems or support manufacturing processes.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with mechanical, manufacturing, software, and process engineers, and participate in customer meetings to clarify specs and present designs.

Education & Experience

• MSc or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with a strong emphasis on classical optics.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in optical design and development.
• Deep, practical knowledge of geometrical optics, aberrations, diffraction, imaging, and illumination.
• Demonstrated ability to build optical test setups, perform hands-on experimentation, and connect simulation results with real-world physical measurements.
• Strong mathematical and programming skills (Matlab/Python) to develop custom tools rather than rely solely on existing off-the-shelf software.
• Excellent communication skills, with comfort collaborating across fast-paced, fast-changing, and multicultural environments (including teams in Denmark and China).
• Advantage: Experience with CGHs, lithographic optics, holography, precision optical manufacturing, CNC/production process integration, photonic interconnects, photonic integrated circuits (PIC)

What We Offer

• High degree of responsibility and variety working on high-end precision optics.
• A role that bridges optical design, experimental optics, custom software development, metrology, and advanced manufacturing.
• Close collaboration with experienced international teams solving complex technical problems where conventional solutions fall short.