Optical Design Engineer – Infrared Imaging and Sensing

LightPath Technologies; Hudson (NH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LightPath Technologies, a leader in precision infrared and photonics, seeks an Optical Design Engineer to drive design, analysis, simulation, and validation of infrared imaging and electro‑optical sensing systems from concept to production.

You will collaborate across engineering teams, perform lens design and tolerancing, support manufacturing readiness, and contribute to test, validation, and supplier communications. 7+ years in lens design and ITAR experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 7+ years of lens design and optical system development.
• Must be a U.S. Person under ITAR.
• Experience with infrared systems (thermal imagers highly desired).
• Proficient with Matlab software.
• Experience with optical testing methods (interferometry, MTF testing).
• Exposure to defense/aerospace industries.

Responsibilities

• Concept development, trade-off analysis, and lens design for imaging systems.
• Develop optical solutions including tolerancing, DFM analyses, and optimization to meet production requirements.
• Interface with other engineering disciplines to ensure overall product success.
• Create optical specifications, requirements definitions, and documentation for suppliers and internal teams.
• Work with suppliers and internal departments regarding fabrication and assembly.
• Support prototyping, test and evaluation, process development, and design validation.
• Provide and support continuous improvement of design and analysis methodologies.
• Contribute to cost estimating and proposal writing.
• Perform optical tolerancing and sensitivity analyses to ensure manufacturable designs.
• Support optical system integration, alignment, and troubleshooting during prototype and production builds.
• Participate in design reviews and risk assessments.
• Analyze optical test data and correlate with design predictions.

Skills

Optical design for imaging systems

Geometrical and physical optics

System performance modeling

Design for manufacturing

Infrared systems knowledge

Analytical problem solving

Excellent verbal and written comms

Education

BS in Optical Engineering/Physics

Tools

MATLAB

Non-sequential raytrace

Job description

LightPath Technologies, a leader in precision infrared and photonics, seeks an Optical Design Engineer to drive design, analysis, simulation, and validation of infrared imaging and electro‑optical sensing systems from concept to production.

You will collaborate across engineering teams, perform lens design and tolerancing, support manufacturing readiness, and contribute to test, validation, and supplier communications. 7+ years in lens design and ITAR experience are preferred.