Optical System Integration Engineer

Per International; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Per International seeks an Optical System Integration Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team. You will work hands-on with optical subsystems, perform alignment and characterization, and contribute to product development and testing in a fast-paced lab environment.

The role emphasizes optical hardware integration, data analysis, and collaboration with electrical, firmware, software, and mechanical engineers to ensure high-performance sensing solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Photonics, EE, Physics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in optical engineering, system integration or photonics.
• Strong understanding of geometric optics, lenses, imaging, Gaussian beams, diffraction.
• Hands-on experience with optical lab setups, alignment and troubleshooting.
• Experience with free-space optical alignment, laser alignment, beam collimation.
• Familiarity with photodetectors, optical power measurements, and lab instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of Python for scientific computing and automation.
• Ability to analyze data and identify root causes; strong problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Build, align, and characterize optical lab setups and subsystems.
• Test and validate optical components including lenses, mirrors, lasers, detectors.
• Perform free-space optical alignment and beam optimization.
• Execute optical characterization and system-level testing; analyze results.
• Develop Python scripts for instrument control, data processing, visualization.
• Support development and validation of sensor prototypes and processes.
• Perform subsystem integration, bring-up, validation, troubleshooting.
• Investigate unexpected behavior using experimental data and engineering principles.
• Measure performance metrics such as beam profiles, WFE, and diffraction.
• Collaborate with E, firmware, DSP, software, and mechanical teams.
• Conduct failure analysis and root-cause investigations for reliability.
• Document experimental setups, procedures, results, and findings.

Skills

Optical engineering

Free-space alignment

Python for data analysis

System integration

Lab testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering or related field

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

FPGA development tools

Job description

Industry: Optical Engineering | Photonics | Advanced Sensing Technology

About the Role

We are partnering with an innovative technology company developing next-generation optical sensing and perception systems.

We are seeking a motivated, hands-on Optical System Integration Engineer to join a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for integrating, testing, and validating optical subsystems to ensure high-performance optical solutions.

This position offers the opportunity to work directly with advanced optical hardware, contributing to system integration, optical characterization, troubleshooting, and product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, align, and characterize optical laboratory setups and optical subsystems.
• Test and validate optical components, including lenses, windows, mirrors, lasers, detectors, and optomechanical assemblies.
• Perform free-space optical alignment, beam collimation, focusing, and optical path optimization.
• Execute optical characterization and system-level testing, analyzing data to assess performance.
• Develop Python scripts for instrument control, test automation, data processing, and visualization.
• Support the development and validation of new sensor prototypes and manufacturing processes.
• Perform optical subsystem integration, bring-up, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Investigate unexpected system behavior using experimental data and engineering principles.
• Measure optical performance, including beam profiles, M², wavefront error (WFE), and other relevant metrics.
• Collaborate with electrical, firmware, DSP, software, and mechanical engineering teams.
• Conduct failure analysis and root-cause investigations to improve system performance and reliability.
• Document experimental setups, test procedures, results, and technical findings.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in optical engineering, optical system integration, photonics, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of optical fundamentals, including geometric optics, lenses, imaging, Gaussian beams, diffraction, and physical optics.
• Hands-on experience with optical laboratory setups, alignment, characterization, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with free-space optical alignment, laser alignment, beam collimation, and optomechanical components.
• Familiarity with photodetectors, optical power measurements, and optical/electrical laboratory instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of Python for scientific computing, data analysis, or laboratory automation.
• Ability to analyze experimental data, investigate performance issues, and identify root causes.
• Strong problem-solving, technical communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Python libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, and Matplotlib.
• Familiarity with automated test equipment and instrument communication/control.
• Experience testing passive or active integrated photonics.
• Understanding of analog and digital electronics, including circuit schematics and system block diagrams.
• Experience with optical simulation and design tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar software.
• Familiarity with FPGA or SoC-based hardware platforms.
• Experience with optical sensing systems, sensor integration, or advanced optical hardware development.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on advanced optical sensing and perception technologies.
• Hands-on involvement in optical system integration, testing, and product development.
• Collaboration with experienced engineers across multiple technical disciplines.
• Competitive benefits package, including healthcare, retirement plans, and flexible time off, subject to eligibility and local regulations.
• A collaborative, fast-paced engineering environment with opportunities for technical growth and career development.