Manager, Optical Manufacturing Development Engineering

Socket.dev; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Performance bonus

Paid time off

Parental leave

Health benefits

Job summary

Divergent is seeking a hands-on Optical Engineering Manager to lead calibration, verification, and integration of optical subsystems across LPBF machines. You will head a small optics team, troubleshoot issues, and ensure long-term performance from commissioning through production, collaborating with design, controls, and operations in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include developing calibration procedures, RCCA leadership, and documenting test plans while maintaining laser safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optics/Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in electro-optical or opto-mechanical systems design, integration, or calibration, ideally within capital equipment or industrial systems.
• Experience developing and validating calibration and verification processes for optical or laser systems.
• Hands-on experience integrating high-power lasers, scanners/galvos, or beam delivery optics.
• Experience with RCCA and technical troubleshooting of complex electro-optical systems.

Responsibilities

• Own optical subsystem integration and stabilization across LPBF machine builds, from initial bring-up through commissioning and steady-state production.
• Lead development of calibration procedures and verification methods that confirm calibration integrity over time.
• Build and lead a small team of optics engineers, working on builds, calibration, troubleshooting, and RCCA.
• Partner with hardware design, controls/software, process engineering, and operations to resolve optical performance issues affecting build quality, uptime, and throughput.
• Own documentation for optical subsystems: work instructions, calibration and verification procedures, acceptance criteria, and test plans.
• Lead RCCA on optical-related failures and escapes; drive corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence.

Skills

Optical engineering

Calibration & verification

Team leadership

Hands-on engineering

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optics/Optical Engineering

Tools

RCCA

Beam delivery optics

Job description

Divergent is building the new industrial age. Every day, our teams design, manufacture, and assemble advanced systems for some of the world’s most demanding industries. Our integrated engineering and manufacturing platform transforms complex designs into production-ready solutions, helping customers move faster, build smarter, and deliver critical systems when they matter most. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs and supports leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built.

Purpose

Lead the optical systems function within Divergent's Manufacturing Development Engineering (MDE) team, owning the integration, commissioning, and long-term calibration stability of optical subsystems (beam delivery, scanners/galvos, F-theta lenses, high-speed imaging) across the LPBF machine fleet. This is a player-coach role: you'll lead a small team of optics engineers while staying hands-on with builds, troubleshooting, and calibration verification — ensuring machines hold optical performance and repeatability from commissioning through full-rate production.

The Role

• Own optical subsystem integration and stabilization across LPBF machine builds, from initial bring-up through commissioning and steady-state production
• Lead development of calibration procedures and, critically, verification methods that confirm calibration integrity is maintained over time — through drift, wear, and environmental variation
• Build and lead a small team of optics engineers, working alongside them on builds, calibration, troubleshooting, and RCCA
• Partner with hardware design, controls/software, process engineering, and operations to resolve optical performance issues affecting build quality, uptime, and throughput
• Own documentation for optical subsystems: work instructions, calibration and verification procedures, acceptance criteria, and test plans
• Lead RCCA on optical-related failures and escapes; own corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence
• Establish metrics for optical system health (calibration hold time, drift rate, verification pass rate, MTBF) and drive continuous improvement
• Train technicians and engineers on calibration, alignment, and laser safety practices
• Support scale-up and replication of optical systems and processes across additional machines and factories

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small team with clear expectations, real-time feedback, and accountability, while remaining personally hands-on in the lab and on the floor
• Model Divergent's core values of Respect, Clarity, Winning Spirit, Commitment, and Interdependence through disciplined execution and cross-functional collaboration

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• Bachelor's degree in Optics/Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in electro-optical or opto-mechanical systems design, integration, or calibration, ideally within capital equipment or industrial systems
• Experience developing and validating calibration and verification processes for optical or laser systems
• Hands-on experience integrating high-power lasers, scanners/galvos, or beam delivery optics
• Experience with RCCA and technical troubleshooting of complex electro-optical systems
• Strong technical documentation skills (work instructions, test procedures, calibration standards)
• Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor others while remaining technically hands-on

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with LPBF or additive manufacturing systems
• Prior experience managing or formally mentoring engineers/technicians
• Familiarity with laser safety programs and standards
• Experience with high-power lasers (0.5kW+), beam shaping optics, or high-speed imaging/camera systems
• Knowledge of PLM/MES, configuration management, and change control
• Experience supporting factory scale-up or multi-site manufacturing deployment

Work Environment

• On-site in office, laboratory, and manufacturing floor spaces
• Hands-on work with lasers and optical equipment; adherence to laser safety protocols and required PPE
• May occasionally require extended or weekend hours to meet deadlines

Pay Range

$150,020 — $206,280 USD

What We Offer:

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act. EEO Poster

E-Verify: Right to Work Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish)

Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.