Lead Optical Systems Engineer (Precision Mech)

Waters Corporation; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Corporation is seeking a Senior System Engineer - Optical to lead design, development, integration, and optimization of precision optomechanical systems from concept through production.

You will own free-space optical system design, validation, and set product vision at the system level, guiding optics, detectors, circuitry, precision mechanisms, and enclosures for high-rate manufacturing while mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in optics, physics, engineering or related field with strong optical engineering foundation. OR
• Bachelor’s in Physics/Astronomy, Aerospace/Optical/Mechanical Eng or related field with minimum 5 years related experience OR
• Master’s degree with minimum 3 years related work experience OR
• PhD in related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Decompose system requirements into optical system and subsystem requirements; derive optical specifications, drawings, interfaces, alignment approaches, tolerances, and performance budgets with adjacent engineering teams.
• Perform optical analysis—including image simulation, radiometry, stop analysis, and stray-light analysis—and plan and execute optical assembly, alignment, characterization, calibration, and integration activities.
• Participate in design reviews and document optical requirements, test methods, calibration results, as-built optical designs, and configuration changes.
• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
• Develop and review design concepts, drawings, bills of material, and assembly processes
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis and test of components, subassemblies, and instruments to verify design and specification goals
• Lead in prototype build and preproduction activities
• Provide assignments and technical mentoring to junior level Engineers, Designers, and Technicians
• Properly utilize DFM (Design For Manufacture) methods and GD&T
• Prepare, follow through with, and present design and drawing reviews
• Work closely with NPI (New Product Introduction) to support the smooth transition of design into volume manufacturing

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

Zemax (or equivalent)

FRED

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

DFM

GD&T

English communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Advanced optics/physics/engineering degree

Bachelors in Physics/Astronomy/Optical/Mechanical Eng (5+ years)

Masters in related discipline (3+ years)

PhD in related discipline

Tools

Zemax

FRED

MATLAB

Python

Git/PDM

Code V

Job description

Waters Corporation is seeking a Senior System Engineer - Optical to lead design, development, integration, and optimization of precision optomechanical systems from concept through production.

You will own free-space optical system design, validation, and set product vision at the system level, guiding optics, detectors, circuitry, precision mechanisms, and enclosures for high-rate manufacturing while mentoring junior engineers.