Technical Lead - Optical Systems (Electro-Optics)

TAK Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; Dadri; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

TAK Technologies Pvt. Ltd. in India is seeking a Design Lead – Optical Systems to guide the design, development, and validation of advanced optical and electro‑optical systems for defence and security applications.

You will own imaging optics, IR optics, night vision, and related assemblies, provide technical leadership through the product lifecycle, mentor the optics team, and collaborate with mechanical and supplier teams to ensure design integrity and manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Mandatory: M.Tech./M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.) in Optical Engineering, Applied Optics, Photonics, Physics, or related field.
• Preferred: Ph.D. in Optics/Photonics or specialization in Lens Design, Imaging Systems, Infrared Optics, or Electro‑Optical Systems.
• Experience in defence, aerospace, electro‑optics, imaging systems, or precision optical products is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Translate requirements into optical specifications, budgets, interfaces, acceptance criteria, and verification plans.
• Design, optimise, and document objective lenses, relay groups, IR lens assemblies, and complete optical modules.
• Perform paraxial analysis, aberration balancing, MTF/PSF analysis, distortion, ghost and stray-light assessment.
• Develop tolerance models, Monte Carlo analyses, alignment strategies, and inspection requirements.
• Define optical‑to‑mechanical interfaces and alignment features with the mechanical team.
• Support prototype build, optical alignment, image-quality evaluation, and field trials.
• Prepare optical prescriptions, lens data sheets, coating specs, and interface-control documents.
• Evaluate optical component suppliers and OEMs; assess quotations, samples, and quality risks.
• Plan work packages, mentor team members, and drive design reviews.
• Track optical technologies and prepare feasibility, cost, and risk analyses.

Skills

Zemax OpticStudio

OSLO

Code V

Imaging optics

Optical alignment

Education

M.Tech./M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.) in Optical Engineering

Ph.D. in Optics/Photonics

Tools

Geometric optics software

C/C++ (simulation)

Job description

TAK Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a DPIIT-License holding, ZED Gold certified, GeM authorised Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with nearly 25 years of distinguished experience in delivering advanced defense products and security solutions. With over 150 skilled professionals, we specialize in the design, development, and integration of cutting-edge opto-electronic systems and mission‑critical security infrastructure for India’s defense and government sectors.

We take pride in our in‑house manufacturing capabilities, including a dedicated assembly line, cleanroom‑based D&D and prototyping labs, and a NABL‑accredited thermal calibration and testing facility—ensuring precision, reliability, and compliance with global standards.

Key Credentials & Technological Edge:

• Holding licenses and certification like DPIIT, ZEDGold, GeM, MSME, NSIC, and ISO 9001, 14001, 18001.
• Holder of design patentsand Transfer of Technologies (ToT) from IRDE, DRDO and CDAC technologies under MeitY.
• State‑of‑the-cleanroom anddust‑controlled environments for high‑performance product design.
• Pioneeredthe DarVibrand in 2012, symbolizing our commitment to indigenous excellence in opto‑electronics.
• Trustedpartner to leadinggovernment organizations and PSUs for joint development and long‑term service delivery.

Role Overview

The Design Lead – Optical Systems will lead the design, development, optimisation, and validation of advanced optical and electro‑optical systems for defence and security applications. The role is responsible for developing imaging optics, infrared optics, night vision systems, thermal imaging assemblies, weapon sights, and other precision optical modules. The incumbent will provide technical leadership throughout the product lifecycle—from concept and optical architecture to prototype development, production support, and supplier qualification—while mentoring the optics team and driving innovation in optical engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Optical Architecture and Requirements: Translate customer, tender, product, and system requirements into optical specifications, performance budgets, interface requirements, acceptance criteria, and verification plans.
• Lens and Assembly Design: Design, optimise, and document objective lenses, eyepieces, relay groups, collimators, near‑eye display optics, reticle paths, illumination paths, IR lens assemblies, and complete optical modules.
• Optical Performance Analysis: Perform paraxial analysis, aberration balancing, MTF/PSF analysis, distortion and illumination assessment, ghost analysis, stray‑light evaluation, pupil and field analysis, and design trade studies.
• Tolerance and Manufacturability: Develop tolerance models, Monte Carlo analyses, alignment strategies, datum schemes, compensators, assembly sequences, and inspection requirements to ensure repeatable production performance.
• Opto‑Mechanical Integration: Define optical‑to‑mechanical interfaces, lens mounting concepts, spacers, retainers, sealing provisions, focus/diopter mechanisms, thermal compensation, and alignment features in coordination with the mechanical team.
• Prototype, Alignment and Validation: Support prototype build, optical alignment, image‑quality evaluation, troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, design verification, field trials, and environmental qualification.
• Drawings and Technical Documentation: Prepare optical prescriptions, lens data sheets, coating specifications, optical assembly drawings, interface‑control documents, tolerance reports, design‑review records, verification reports, and controlled design documentation.
• Supplier and OEM Development: Evaluate optical component manufacturers, lens fabricators, coating suppliers, metrology partners, and OEMs; technically assess quotations, samples, capability, quality risks, obsolescence, and localisation opportunities.
• Technical Leadership: Plan and review optics work packages; mentor team members; conduct design reviews; approve analyses and drawings; resolve technical risks; and coordinate with project, quality, production, and leadership stakeholders.
• Technology and Product Roadmap: Track relevant optical technologies, competitor products, materials, coatings, detectors, displays, and manufacturing methods; prepare feasibility, cost, risk, and make‑versus‑buy recommendations.

Qualification

• Mandatory: M.Tech./M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.) in Optical Engineering, Applied Optics, Photonics, Physics, or a related discipline from a recognised institute.
• Preferred: Ph.D. in Optics, Photonics, or specialisation in Lens Design, Imaging Systems, Infrared Optics, or Electro‑Optical Systems.
• Experience in defence, aerospace, electro‑optics, imaging systems, or precision optical products will be preferred.

Technical Skills

Expertise in Zemax OpticStudio and/or OSLO.

Knowledge of Code V or equivalent optical design software is desirable.

Strong understanding of:

• Sequential ray tracing
• Imaging optics
• First‑order optics
• Aberration theory
• MTF & PSF analysis
• Optical tolerancing
• Stray light and ghost analysis
• Optical alignment
• Athermalisation
• Opto‑mechanical integration

Experience with visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR optical systems.

Why Join This Role:

This position offers the opportunity to lead the development of cutting‑edge electro‑optical technologies for defence and homeland security applications. The role provides ownership of advanced optical product development while building in‑house optical engineering capability, mentoring engineers, and contributing directly to indigenous technology development and product innovation.