Senior Engineer, R&D (Optical Systems)

venture corporation limited; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Venture Corporation Limited in Singapore seeks a Senior Engineer, R&D (Optical Systems) to design and optimize optical systems for life science applications. You will lead technical discussions, select components, and validate performance using Zemax-based simulations while ensuring manufacturability and cost targets.

The role requires hands-on alignment, testing, and documentation to ISO quality standards; collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams is essential, with occasional travel involved.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Photonics, Optics, Applied Physics, or Physics.
• 3–8 years of proven professional experience in optical system design, life science equipment, bio-imaging, or related tools.
• Proficient in optical simulation software such as Zemax (OpticStudio) or equivalent.
• Knowledge of fluorescence detection, laser optics, and thin-film filters is beneficial.
• Excellent problem solving and ability to work in cross-functional R&D teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, model, and optimize optical systems for life science applications including fluorescence, confocal microscopy, and spectroscopy.
• Lead discussions with customers, provide technical support to improve manufacturability and reduce costs.
• Test metrics such as MTF, throughput, stray light, and spectral transmission; establish automated alignment procedures.
• Create DHF, risk analyses, and DFM/ DFA documentation to ISO 13485 / ISO 9001 standards.
• Collaborate across electro-mechanical, electronics, firmware and QA teams; travel occasionally as needed.

Skills

Zemax (OpticStudio)

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

Optical alignment

Beam profiling

R&D mindset

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/Ph.D. in Photonics/Optics/Applied Physics/Physics

Tools

Zemax

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

Job description

Venture, a public listed company in SGX, is a leading global provider of technology services, products and solutions with established capabilities spanning marketing research, design, research and development. Over the years, Venture has built know-how and intellectual property with expertise in several technology domains. These include life science & genomics, molecular diagnostics, medical devices and equipment, healthcare and wellness technology, lifestyle consumer technology, health improvement products, instrumentation, test and measurement technology, networking and communications, fintech, as well as computing, printing and imaging technology.

Headquartered in Singapore, the Group comprises over 30 companies with global clusters in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, America and Europe, and employs over 12,000 people globally.

At Venture, our people are our most valuable asset. We are committed to unifying culture, encouraging innovation, and harnessing the collective strengths and synergies of our human capital to deliver compelling differentiation, advancing Venture’s position as a leading global provider of technology solutions, products and services.

We’re looking to add a Senior Engineer, R&D (Optical Systems) in Singapore. The position is based in our HQ at Ang Mo Kio.

As a Senior Engineer, R&D (Optical Systems), you will:

Optical System Design and Engineering (R&D)

• Conduct sequential and non-sequential ray-tracing, stray light, scatter, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) analysis using Zemax (OpticStudio) to validate, optimize, and align designs with performance, timeline, and cost targets.
• Perform optical component selection, lens coating specification, stray-light suppression, and precision illumination modeling (LED, laser diode, filter sets).
• Design, model, and optimize free-space and fiber-coupled optical systems for life science applications such as fluorescence excitation/emission, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, DNA sequencing, and absorption spectroscopy.
• Lead technical discussions and present innovative optical design solutions to customers; provide expert technical support to enhance product manufacturability while reducing costs.
• Test optical performance metrics such as MTF, throughput, stray light, spectral transmission, beam profiling, and fluorescence detection efficiency, and support the transfer of optical designs to manufacturing by establishing automated optical alignment procedures, test fixtures, and quality control metrics.
• Act as a professional liaison for clients, providing transparent updates on optical performance issues, design modifications, and engineering changes to secure necessary approvals.
• Generate design documentation in compliance with ISO 13485 / ISO 9001 quality systems, including Design History Files (DHF), risk analyses, and Design for Manufacturability/Assembly (DFM/DFA) reports.
• Assist leadership in mapping optical technologies and evaluating technical feasibility to enrich the product portfolio in alignment with market and business demands
• Build, align, calibrate, and characterize benchtop optical setups and functional prototypes in cleanroom or laboratory environments, and author comprehensive technical specifications, requirements, and validation plans, while meticulously managing Bill of Materials (BOM).

Requirements

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Photonics, Optics, Applied Physics, or Physics Science.
• 3 - 8 years of proven professional experience in optical system design, ideally focused on life science equipment, bio-imaging, clinical diagnostic instruments, or analytical tools.
• Proficient in optical simulation software such as Zemax (OpticStudio), or equivalent optics simulation Tools.
• Broad knowledge or experience with fluorescence detection, laser optics, and thin-film filters is beneficial
• We welcome applications from fresh graduates who are eager to embrace new challenges.
• Good knowledge and experience in optical product design, and validation of high-precision optical sub-systems.
• Hands-on experience in aligning optical systems, optical power meters, spectrometers, and precision translation stages.
• Familiarity with applying interferometers in optical system alignment is an added advantage.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW for automated optical test data processing and control scripts.
• Strong analytical mind with a structured, data-driven approach to root-cause optical failure analysis
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional R&D teams (electro-mechanical, mechanics, electronics, firmware, quality, biology).
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Self-driven team player who is able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability for occasional overseas travel
• Independently able to perform optical DFMEA, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Report preparation etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and client presentations

By submitting your application to Venture Corporation Limited and its group of companies, you acknowledge and agree that any personal data you provide will be processed for the purpose of evaluating your application for employment.

If you are not selected for this position, we may retain your personal data to consider you for future employment opportunities unless you inform us otherwise. Should you wish to withdraw your consent or request access to or correction of your personal data, please contact our Personal Data Protection officer by email: [e-mail] For more details, please refer to our privacy policy at Personal Data Protection Policy of Venture Corporation Limited.

If you have questions about any open positions at Venture Corporation, please contact us by email: [e-mail]