Optical Design Lead — Systems & Prototyping

II-VI UK, Ltd.; Saxonburg (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is seeking a senior optical design professional to lead and coordinate the optical design group, ensuring the right tools and procedures are in place. You will manage risk, interface with customers, and guide new technologies from prototyping to production.

The role requires a strong physics background, lens design experience, and the ability to produce concise technical reports. Candidates with CS/C++ programming skills and MSc/PhD are highly valued.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Science or Engineering; MSc/PhD preferred.
• 5 years product design and applications experience.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills for customer interfacing.
• Solid understanding of physics and capability for theoretical analysis (optical and electrical).
• Lens design experience with CODE V / OSLO / ZEMAX / FRED or equivalent desirable.
• Programming in C or C++ desirable.
• Ability to write concise reports communicating complex optical issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of the optical design group, including work distribution, documentation, software selection, and risk assessment.
• Assess technical feasibility and guide strategic direction of IR Engineering and NPI activities.
• Communicate with customers during quotation, ordering, and post-order support stages.
• Interface with sales, manufacturing, and QA to resolve design and production issues.
• Assist with patent documentation and knowledge transfer.
• Mentor and train other employees; transition prototypes to production.

Skills

Optical design experience

Risk assessment

Project management

Customer interfacing

Technical reporting

Interpersonal skills

Theoretical analysis (optical/electro‑

Education

BS in Science or Engineering

MS or PhD in relevant field

Tools

CODE V

OSLO PRO

ZEMAX

FRED

C/C++

Job description

Coherent Corp. is seeking a senior optical design professional to lead and coordinate the optical design group, ensuring the right tools and procedures are in place. You will manage risk, interface with customers, and guide new technologies from prototyping to production.

The role requires a strong physics background, lens design experience, and the ability to produce concise technical reports. Candidates with CS/C++ programming skills and MSc/PhD are highly valued.