Optical Materials Engineer

Cambium; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a skilled Optical Materials Engineer to join their dynamic team focused on cutting-edge aerospace applications. In this role, you will design and synthesize high-performance materials, develop testing protocols, and collaborate with experts in various fields. Your contributions will directly impact the development of advanced optical solutions, ensuring scalability and commercial readiness. If you have a passion for technology and a strong background in optical engineering, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a growing company.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in laboratory process or workflow development.
• 1-2 years designing automated systems for chemistry or materials science.
• Experience in sensor testing and aerospace testing protocols.

Responsibilities

• Design and formulate high-performance materials for aerospace applications.
• Generate and execute test procedures and analyze data.
• Communicate development status and collaborate with experts.

Skills

Optical Engineering

Technical Writing

Collaboration

Problem-Solving

Python

MATLAB

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Optical Engineering

Materials Science

Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Optical Test Equipment

Laboratory Information Management Systems

Job description

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This range is provided by Cambium. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$94,000.00/yr - $114,000.00/yr

Lead Recruiting Consultant @ Battery @ Cambium | Creative Strategy, Aerospace, Human Centered Design

Overview: Cambium seeks a collaboration-oriented, results-driven Optical Engineer with Test and Evaluation experience to join the optical materials innovation and scale-up team. Responsibilities include generating test procedures, preparing review packages, executing qualification testing, and writing reports to achieve commercial readiness. The role involves solving technical problems independently and collaboratively, developing new products and manufacturing processes for aeronautical applications.

Activities involve collaboration with mechanical engineering, prototyping, business development, and suppliers. Key aspects include developing testing protocols, data analysis, equipment design and control, troubleshooting R&D and manufacturing equipment. Opportunities include contributing to laser eyewear protection programs. Responsibilities are expected to evolve with company growth.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical Expertise:

• Design, synthesize, or formulate high-performance monomers, polymers for aerospace and defense optics applications.
• Iterate system development ensuring scalability.
• Generate and execute test procedures and plans.
• Develop specifications and guide optical sensor protection design.
• Process and analyze test data; write qualification reports.
• Hands-on experience with optical and electrical test equipment.
• Routine troubleshooting, testing, calibration.
• Support subcomponent and subassembly integration.

Operational Expertise:

• Communicate development status, performance, lessons learned to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with experts in biomaterials, polymers, composites, optics, aerospace, defense.
• Work independently following test instructions.
• Understand current technology, suggest future enhancements.
• Contribute to product demos and engineering teams aligned with Cambium’s mission.
• Engage with government and industry via various communication methods.
• Provide clear instructions to technicians for testing.

Qualifications:

• B.S. or M.S. in Optical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related.
• 4+ years in laboratory process or workflow development.
• 1-2 years designing automated systems for chemistry or materials science.
• Technical writing, proposals, presentations skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen (due to U.S. government contracts).

Other Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in sensor testing, free space optical setups.
• Experience with aerospace testing protocols.
• Skills in Python, MATLAB, or other coding languages.
• Participation in full technology development cycle.
• Experience characterizing high-performance materials.
• Laboratory information management systems expertise.
• Problem-solving in laboratory environments.
• Discretion with confidential information.

Compensation: $94K - $144K.