Hands On Optical Engineer

TMC; Eindhoven; Hybrid; EUR 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal coaching

Extensive training budget

Individual profit sharing

Job summary

A global high-tech consultancy is looking for an enthusiastic Hands On Optical Engineer to join their experimental R&D team in Eindhoven. This role involves building and testing complex optical setups, validating optical configurations, and collaborating with senior engineers. Candidates should have over 3 years of experience in an optical laboratory, knowledge of lasers and optical alignment tools, and a relevant academic background. The position offers a hybrid work model and diverse projects for personal and professional growth.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in an optical laboratory or experimental optics role.
• Skilled in setting up optical tables and performing beam alignment using standard optical tools.
• Strong understanding of basic optical principles such as Gaussian beams and polarization.
• Solid understanding of Gaussian beams, interference, reflection/refraction and polarization.
• Experience with optical measurement techniques (beam profiling, power measurements, interferometry).
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities in an experimental environment.

Responsibilities

• Build and assemble optical setups including lasers, mirrors, and lenses.
• Conduct full system testing including characterization and stability measurements.
• Collaborate with design engineers to improve system performance.
• Develop and execute experimental procedures to evaluate optical concepts and prototypes.
• Record and analyze test data; identify performance deviations and propose improvements.
• Collaborate with design engineers to provide lab feedback to improve system performance.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, ensure safe handling of lasers, and follow optical safety protocols.
• Produce documentation such as test reports and system configuration notes.

Skills

Hands-on experience in an optical laboratory

Working with lasers

Precision optical alignment

Analytical and troubleshooting skills

MATLAB

Python

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering

Tools

Optical tables

MATLAB

Python

Opto-mechanical mounts

Job description

Netherlands Master Physics 2 - 5 years Eindhoven Hybrid

We are seeking an enthusiastic and practical Hands On Optical Engineer to join our experimental R&D team. Apply now!

About The Member Company

We are a global high-tech consultancy company with a team of entrepreneurial engineers, scientists, and digital experts from around the world. Together we form a fast-growing and proud community. We offer consultancy services to high-profile clients globally in diverse service areas, such as:

• Technology & Engineering
• Energy & Renewables
• Life sciences & Pharma
• Digital & IT

About this vacancy

We are seeking an enthusiastic and practical Hands‑On Optical Engineer to join our experimental R&D team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building and testing complex optical setups and working directly with lasers, mirrors, optical tables, alignment tools, and precision measurement systems. You will be responsible for assembling, aligning, and validating optical configurations, followed by full‑system testing to ensure performance, stability, and reliability.

This is a highly experimental, laboratory‑focused position where you will work closely with senior optical engineers, system engineers, and R&D specialists.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and assemble optical setups, including laser sources, mirrors, beam splitters, lenses, and overlay alignment systems.
• Perform hands‑on alignment of optical paths on optical tables using precision tools.
• Conduct full system testing, including characterization, stability measurements, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and execute experimental procedures to evaluate optical concepts and prototypes.
• Record and analyze test data; identify performance deviations and propose improvements.
• Collaborate with design engineers to provide feedback from lab results to improve system performance.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, ensure safe handling of lasers, and follow proper optical safety protocols.
• Produce documentation such as test reports, experimental logs, and system configuration notes.

What we expect from you

• 3+ years of hands‑on experience in an optical laboratory or experimental optics role.
• Proven experience working with lasers, mirrors, lenses, and precision optical alignment.
• Skilled in setting up optical tables and performing beam alignment using standard optical tools.
• Strong understanding of basic optical principles (Gaussian beams, interference, reflection/refraction, polarization).
• Experience with optical measurement techniques (beam profiling, power measurements, interferometry, etc.).
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities in an experimental environment.
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice‑to‑Have)

• Experience with alignment of high‑precision or high‑power laser systems.
• Familiarity with opto‑mechanical components and mounts.
• Basic scripting or data‑analysis skills in MATLAB or Python.
• Experience working in industries such as semiconductor equipment, metrology, microscopy, or precision instrumentation.
• Knowledge of optical safety standards and laser safety procedures.

The 5 basic principles of employeneurship

Enjoy the security of a long‑term contract and a stable source of income while getting the opportunity to work at diverse projects.

Individual profit sharing

Full transparency. That’s it. For each of your projects, you know your hourly rate, your costs, and your individual performance‑based profit sharing, all in order to stimulate your inner entrepreneur.

Business cells

Our employeneurs are grouped in business cells based on their technical expertise. They are small, focused and function as high‑grade knowledge networks. And as buzzing communities of close colleagues.

YOUniversity

Every employeneur drives their own career. Together, we make a plan for personal and professional growth. Receive personal coaching and an extensive training budget to keep developing yourself and deliver outperformance at our clients.

The Entrepreneurial Lab

Work on your technical dreams in our lab. Collaborate with others in multidisciplinary teams to unlock out‑of‑the‑box thinking and innovative ideas as well as entrepreneurial skills.

Great that you are interested in a job at TMC! Apply now in the way that suits you best and hopefully we can welcome you to one of our teams soon.

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