Optics Engineer

Rotterdam Innovation City; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Nearfield Instruments is seeking an optics design engineer to lead optical modules from concept through volume production. You will translate system KPIs into concrete designs and work with System Engineering, Electronics, Software, control, mechatronics, and mechanics specialists.

You will own development projects for your optical module, perform optics modelling and tolerance analysis, and ensure interfaces and alignment strategies are robust for factory production. On-site at Rotterdam HQ.

Qualifications

• MSc in Physics, Opto-Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in opto-mechanical design and industrialization.
• Experience in opto-mechanics design and simulation, thermal constraints and impact on optics, dynamics and vibrations, supplier quality control, new product introduction in production lines.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary development projects, from concept to release.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to align teams and drive technical decisions.
• Proficiency with modelling and simulation tools (e.g. Zemax, SolidWorks, Python) and a data‑driven mindset.
• A strong command of English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Interpret system level requirements and translate them to optical performance metrics and design into optical module part of the system.
• Taking technical ownership of development projects for your optical module, ensuring alignment between disciplines and stakeholders.
• Making key design decisions — including optics system design by use of optics modelling and sensitivity and tolerance analysis.
• Opto-mechanical integration by defining the correct opto-mechanical interfaces and alignment strategy together with the assembly and test protocols for the factory. So this includes the production tool set to enable the assembly and test in production.
• Hands‑on first proto assembly, integration and test of the new optical modules and transfer to production engineering and assembly, test and integration engineering.
• Design documentation delivery according the Nearfield templates and documentation structure.

Skills

Systems thinking

Leadership

Communication

Education

MSc in Physics, Opto-Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Zemax

SolidWorks

Python

Job description

Job description

To keep pace with the soaring demand for semiconductor performance and precision, Nearfield Instruments is developing and building cutting-edge 3D metrology systems. As an optics engineer in the functional teams of navigation and MAFM, you will take the technical lead for one or more critical optical modules in our revolutionary machines. Bridging the gap between system-level ambitions and design execution, you'll translate performance requirements into clear, realizable concepts, and ensure they’re delivered with excellence.

Would you like to work at the forefront of high-tech innovation while playing a key role in our next stage of growth? Join us and lead the development of next-generation metrology solutions with direct impact on our clients and the semiconductor industry worldwide.

What you’re going to do

As an optics design engineer, you are technically responsible for the optical modules in our products — from the first concept to volume production and beyond. Working closely with System Engineering and the Architects, you will convert system-level KPIs into concrete designs. You’ll participate in multidisciplinary teams for the design and realization of complex high-precision modules, ensuring they meet specifications across performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost etc.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Interpret system level requirements and translate them to optical performance metrics and design into optical module part of the system.

• Taking technical ownership of development projects for your optical module, ensuring alignment between disciplines and stakeholders.

• Making key design decisions — including optics system design by use of optics modelling and sensitivity and tolerance analysis.

• Opto-mechanical integration by defining the correct opto-mechanical interfaces and alignment strategy together with the assembly and test protocols for the factory. So this includes the production tool set to enable the assembly and test in production.

• Hands‑on first proto assembly, integration and test of the new optical modules and transfer to production engineering and assembly, test and integration engineering.

• Design documentation delivery according the Nearfield templates and documentation structure.

Who you’ll be working with

You will join our high-impact, internationally diverse development team and collaborate closely with System Engineering, Electronics, Software, Control, Mechatronics and Mechanics experts. Together with this tech‑savvy team, we design and realize groundbreaking machines that redefine what’s possible in semiconductor metrology. We thrive in a knowledge‑sharing, open environment where autonomy and technical leadership are encouraged — and where your ideas shape the direction of our technology.

Job requirements

Who you are

You’re a systems thinker with a solid technical foundation and a passion for precision and optics. You can navigate complexity, participate in design teams, and enjoy translating abstract requirements into tangible, working solutions. You are comfortable working in fast-paced, high-tech environments, and you’re energized by solving tough engineering challenges with impact.

You have:

• A MSc in Physics, Opto-Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience, with a strong track record in opto-mechanical design and the industrialization aspect of it.

• Deep knowledge and experience in areas such as: opto-mechanics design and simulation, thermal constraints and impact on optics, dynamics and vibrations, supplier quality control, new product introduction in production lines.

• Experience in multi-disciplinary development projects, from concept to release.

• Strong communication and leadership skills to align teams and drive technical decisions.

• Proficiency with modelling and simulation tools (e.g. Zemax, SolidWorks, Python) and a data‑driven mindset.

• A strong command of English, both written and spoken.

On-site

• Rotterdam HQ

Design and Engineering

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