Optical Engineer I

Diffraqtion; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision on Day 1

Equity options

401K match

Mentorship from senior engineers

Space-tech mission

Job summary

Diffraqtion is seeking a Junior Optical Engineer to help build, align, and test advanced optical systems at the heart of our Quantum Camera. This hands-on role is bench-first, with opportunities to work closely with senior engineers and the software team, translating results into hardware changes.

You will contribute to a first-of-a-kind device destined for Low Earth Orbit and gain real ownership over subsystems. The position requires U.S.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Optical Engineering, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 1–2 years of hands-on optical lab experience.
• Bench experience aligning free-space optics and/or fiber optics.
• Experience with oscilloscopes, detectors and power supplies.
• Working knowledge of imaging, diffraction, interference, polarization, and Gaussian beam propagation.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for data analysis.
• On-site lab work in Somerville, MA (hardware role).
• Strong documentation habits and attention to detail.
• Clear technical communication, written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Build, mount, and align free-space and fiber optical setups on the bench following procedures.
• Assemble and integrate optical subsystems with precision optics and opto-mechanics.
• Run experiments and collect data using lab instruments (beam profilers, power meters, cameras, spectrometers, interferometers).
• Troubleshoot setups, isolate variables, re-align and optimize performance.
• Develop and document repeatable alignment procedures and simple mounts/fixtures.
• Support component selection, quotes, lead times, and incoming optics inspection.
• Analyze measurement data in MATLAB or Python and compare to optical models.
• Maintain rigorous lab notebooks and present findings to the team.
• Assist in testing prototypes toward flight-ready hardware.

Skills

Optical bench experience

MATLAB/Python

Imaging optics fundamentals

Lab safety awareness

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Education

B.S./M.S. in Optical Engineering

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

COMSOL

Lumerical

SolidWorks

Job description

Optical Engineer I

About Diffraqtion

At Diffraqtion, we are revolutionizing AI imaging using our proprietary breakthrough quantum technology. We are a DARPA, NASA, and VC-backed startup founded by MIT & Harvard scientists and veterans in AI, Optics, and Quantum Sensing. Inspired by the eye, we are building a Quantum Camera which replaces a conventional camera and processor. Calculating at the speed of light, we achieve orders of magnitude higher resolution, processing speed and energy efficiency for cameras. Using this camera, we will make Earth and Space Imaging satellites affordable and ubiquitous.

The Role

We are seeking a Junior Optical Engineer to help build, align, and test the advanced optical systems at the heart of our Quantum Camera. This is a hands-on, bench-first role: you will spend most of your time in the lab - mounting and aligning optics, assembling prototypes, running experiments, taking measurements, and troubleshooting hardware that does not yet behave the way the model says it should. You will work side by side with senior optical engineers and with the algorithm/software team, learning to translate their results into real optical hardware. This is an early-career role with real ownership and real mentorship: you will start by executing well-defined experiments and grow into owning subsystems of a first-of-a-kind device that will be shot into Low Earth Orbit.

Note: This position requires U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or eligibility for authorization under U.S. export control regulations (ITAR/EAR).

Key Responsibilities

• Build, mount, and align free-space and fiber optical setups on the bench, working from procedures and with guidance from senior engineers.
• Assemble and integrate optical subsystems—handling, cleaning, and mounting precision optics and opto-mechanics.
• Run experiments and collect data using lab instrumentation such as beam profilers, power meters, cameras, spectrometers, and interferometers.
• Troubleshoot setups iteratively: isolate variables, find the root cause, and re-align and optimize until performance is met.
• Help develop and document repeatable alignment procedures, and iterate on simple optomechanical mounts and fixtures (3D-printed or machined).
• Support component selection and sourcing—request quotes, track lead times, and receive and inspect incoming optics.
• Reduce and analyze measurement data in MATLAB or Python, and compare results against optical models.
• Keep a rigorous lab notebook, write up test results clearly, and present findings to the team.
• Help build and run test setups for prototype qualification as hardware matures toward flight.

Qualifications

Required:

• B.S. or M.S. in Optical Engineering, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 1-2 years of hands-on optical lab experience - academic research, lab coursework, co-ops, and internships all count.
• Demonstrated bench experience aligning free-space optics (lasers, lenses, mirrors, beamsplitters) and/or working with fiber optics.
• Experience with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, detectors and power sources
• Working knowledge of optics fundamentals: imaging, diffraction, interference, polarization, and Gaussian beam propagation
• Comfort using MATLAB or Python for data analysis and basic modeling.
• Careful, organized, and safety-conscious lab habits, including laser safety awareness.
• Eagerness to be in the lab on-site in Somerville, MA - this is a hardware role, and the hardware lives here.
• Curiosity and persistence in troubleshooting—you want to know why the fringes disappeared.
• Excellent attention to detail and disciplined documentation habits.
• Eagerness to learn from senior engineers, ask questions early, and act on feedback.
• Ability to work independently on well-scoped tasks while collaborating across a small, cross-functional team.
• Clear technical communication—both written and verbal.

Preferred:

• Coursework, research, or project experience with optical design and simulation software (e.g., Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, COMSOL, Lumerical).
• Exposure to CAD such as SolidWorks for optomechanical mounts and fixtures.
• Hands-on experience with telescopes, imaging optics (including folded optics), or camera systems.
• Familiarity with diffractive optics, spatial light modulators, adaptive optics, or interferometry.
• Experience coupling into and testing photonic integrated circuits.
• Familiarity with optical metrology methods, instrumentation, and measurement uncertainty.
• Practical shop skills: machining, 3D printing, soldering, or basic electronics.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity options.
• Medical, dental and vision on 1st day
• Company 401K match
• Direct, day-to-day mentorship from senior optical engineers and the founding team.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment with a clear path for technical growth.
• The chance to work on transformative technologies to be deployed in Space

Equal Opportunity Employer

Diffraqtion is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.