Senior Optical Systems R&D Engineer

VENTURE INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Venture International PTE. LTD. in Singapore is seeking a Senior Engineer, R&D (Optical Systems) to lead optical design and validation for life science instruments.

You will perform ray tracing, component selection, and bench-level testing to meet performance, timeline, and cost targets. The role requires hands-on experience with Zemax (OpticStudio), MATLAB/Python, and strong cross-functional collaboration with electro-mechanical, electronics, and quality teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Photonics, Optics, Applied Physics or Physics Science.
• 3 to 8 years of proven professional experience in optical system design, ideally lifescience equipment, bio-imaging, clinical diagnostic instruments, or analytical tools.
• Proficient in Zemax (OpticStudio) or equivalent optics simulation tools.
• Broad knowledge or experience with fluorescence detection, laser optics, and thin-film filters is beneficial.
• Fresh graduates welcome to apply.
• Good knowledge and experience in optical product design and validation of high-precision optical sub-systems.
• Hands-on experience in aligning optical systems, optical powermeters, spectrometers, and precision translation stages.
• Familiarity with interferometers in optical system alignment is a plus.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW for automated optical test data processing and control scripts.
• Strong analytical mindset with 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 can work in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability for occasional overseas travel.
• Independently able to perform optical DFMEA, and RCA report preparation etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and client presentations.

Responsibilities

• Optical System Design and Engineering (R&D).
• Conduct sequential and non-sequential ray tracing, stray light, scatter, and SNR analysis using Zemax to validate, optimize, and align designs with performance, timeline, and cost targets.
• Perform optical component selection, lens coatings 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 designs to customers; provide expert technical support to enhance manufacturability while reducing costs.
• Test optical performance metrics such as MTF, throughput, stray light, spectral transmission, beam profiling, and fluorescence detection efficiency; support transfer to manufacturing with automated alignment procedures, test fixtures, and QC metrics.
• Act as a professional liaison for clients, providing transparent updates on optical performance issues, design modifications, and engineering changes for approvals.
• Generate design documentation in compliance with ISO13485/ISO9001 (DHF, risk analyses, DFM/ DFA).
• Assist leadership in mapping optical technologies and evaluating technical feasibility to enrich the product portfolio in line with market and business demands.
• Build, align, calibrate, and characterize benchtop optical setups and functional prototypes in cleanroom or lab environments; author comprehensive technical specifications, requirements, and validation plans; manage BOM.

Skills

Zemax OpticStudio

Python

MATLAB

optical design

data-driven analysis

cross-functional teamwork

DFMEA/RCA

communication to clients

Education

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

Tools

Zemax (OpticStudio)

Job description

Venture International PTE. LTD. in Singapore is seeking a Senior Engineer, R&D (Optical Systems) to lead optical design and validation for life science instruments.

You will perform ray tracing, component selection, and bench-level testing to meet performance, timeline, and cost targets. The role requires hands-on experience with Zemax (OpticStudio), MATLAB/Python, and strong cross-functional collaboration with electro-mechanical, electronics, and quality teams.