Lead Systems Engineer - Optical Systems & Mechanical Integration

Bright Silicon Technologies; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity Incentive Plan

Comprehensive medical, dental and視on

Job summary

Bright Silicon Technologies in Pleasanton, CA is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive the optomechanical design and architecture of our Free-Space Optical terminal. You will transform functional diagrams and requirements into a precision PAT hardware system capable of maintaining tight line-of-sight on airborne targets for advanced optical communications.

You will lead cross‑functional teams, translate concepts into detailed designs, guide component selection, and oversee verification plans

Qualifications

• Translate product specs into system requirements and ICDs.
• Lead optomechanical design for PAT hardware.
• Model layouts, tolerances and performance for SWaP-C payloads.
• Define hardware interfaces and select high-precision components.
• Oversee verification test plans and environmental testing.

Responsibilities

• Translate product specs into system requirements and ICDs.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver PAT optomechanical systems.
• Guide component selection and SWaP-C payload build and test.
• Manage project schedules and roadmaps with leadership.
• Design and oversee verification plans for integrated payloads.

Skills

System architecture

Optomechanical design

ICD development

CAD

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Systems/Mechanical/Optical Engineering or Physics

Tools

CAD

MATLAB

Job description

About the Role

Bright Silicon Technologies, located in Pleasanton, Ca, is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to lead the optomechanical design and architecture of our Free-Space Optical (FSO) terminal. You will be responsible for transforming functional block diagrams and project requirements into precision Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) hardware capable of maintaining tight line-of-sight lock on airborne targets.

WhatYou’llDo

• Drive System Architecture: Translate product specifications and government program goals into technical system requirements, developing Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and coordinate teams to deliver a dynamic Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) optomechanical system for line-of-sight acquisition of dynamic airborne targets and free-space optical communications.

• Transform Concepts into Physical Hardware: Take conceptual system block diagrams and product requirements (sketches, functional flows, concept powerpoints), translate them into detailed technical designs and guide cross-functional teams through component selection, build out and test of SWaP-C optimized payloads for mobile platforms.

• Lead Project Execution & Timelines: Serve as the technical lead for multidisciplinary engineering teams. Maintain project schedules and evaluate scope against timeline, making trade-offs, and advocating technical roadmaps to leadership. Work with external partners and vendors to ensure all parts of the project are delivered to meet C-UAS tracking and communications demonstration milestones.

• Own Verification & Testing: Design, oversee, and execute verification test plans to ensure integrated optical/electronic payloads meet system performance requirements and project demonstration needs.

WhatWe’reLooking For

Core Technical Qualifications

• Education & Background: Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Optical Engineering, Physics or a related field.

• Optomechanical & Physical Design: Strong hands‑on background in optical front-end systems, free-space optics, tracking systems, lidar, or precision optomechanical packaging.

• Hardware System Layout & ICDs: Proven ability to define hardware interfaces and select high-precision components (lenses, mirrors, sensors).

• System Modeling & Analysis: Experience taking conceptual architecture diagrams and modeling system layouts, tolerances, and performance using trade‑off analysis tools (e.g., CAD, MATLAB, or optical modeling software).

• Test & Integration Expertise: Hands‑on experience creating and executing physical integration test plans, optical alignment routines, or environmental verification.

• This position will work on Government sensitive information (CUI and ITAR) requiring U.S. Person status (citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or a protected individual).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience packaging precision components like MEMS, beam‑steering arrays, sensors, or semiconductor laser modules.

• Familiarity with thermal, structural (FEA), or stray light analysis for optical systems.

• Experience with SWaP-C constrained payload design or airborne environmental testing (MIL-STD-810/DO-160 exposure).

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At BST we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why Join Us?

• Direct Ownership: You will directly shape the physical architecture of cutting‑edge optical tracking and communications hardware.

• Hands‑On Engineering: Focus on real physical design, precision alignment, and mechanical system execution.

• Solve Hard Hardware Problems: Take designs from benchtop prototypes to airborne demonstrations by tackling complex packaging, alignment, and environmental constraints where precision is non‑negotiable.

Company Overview

At Bright we are building precision optical systems to guide data for a new era of communication. Our technology introduces an unprecedented level of precision, agility, and versatility to directing light. We are experts in precision engineering, optical design and product development who are delivering technological breakthroughs to revolutionize photonics. The Lightfield Directing Array (LDA) has the potential to revolutionize optical system markets such as laser communication terminals for terrestrial and satellite mesh networks, optical switching for data centers, LIDAR for autonomous car and drones, additive manufacturing, and many others.

Founded in 2020, Bright Silicon Technologies’ goal is to build an enduring technology manufacturing company, with first product to market in 2026. In this position, you will play a critical role in the creation, launch, and scaling of a new advanced technology product. We offer competitive market salaries as well as equity incentives so that every team member owns a piece of our success. We’re an engineer‑led company, and we value efficiently and effectively completing our work while sustaining a long‑term work/life balance.

The company offers a total rewards package that is competitive and comprehensive including, but not limited to the following:

• Equity Incentive Plan

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision along with other voluntary benefits

• 3%employer contribution to employee401(K)

• Development and career growth opportunities

• Generous paid time off and paid company holidays

EEO STATEMENT

Bright Silicon Technologies is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, association with a member of a protected class, bereavement leave, color, disability (physical, intellectual/developmental, or mental health/psychiatric), exercising the right to family care and medical leave related to serious health condition of employee or family member, child bonding, or military exigencies, engaging in protected activity, gender identity or expression, genetic information or characteristic, marital status, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristic), military and veteran status, national origin (includes language restrictions), pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), race (includes hairstyle and hair texture), religious creed (includes dress and grooming practices), reproductive health decision making, sex/gender, and sexual orientation.