Optical Systems Engineer

TTM Technologies, Inc.; Stafford (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

TTM Technologies, Inc. seeks an Optical Systems Engineer with strong optics fundamentals to design, build, and evaluate optical systems across feasibility studies to manufacturing support. The role requires translating optical theory into practical designs and collaborating across mechanical, electrical, and controls teams.

You will contribute from architecture through prototype integration and validation. The position offers hands‑on opportunities, exposure to emerging photonics platforms, and

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in optics-related field with hands-on experience.
• Strong understanding of optics fundamentals and practical application.
• Hands-on experience building, aligning, testing optical systems.

Responsibilities

• Translate objectives into optical requirements and interfaces.
• Develop and evaluate optical designs using analytical and simulation tools.
• Create optical performance budgets and assess sensitivity to variations.
• Design, assemble, align, and troubleshoot optical experiments and prototypes.
• Develop characterization methods and define test configurations and acceptance criteria.
• Collaborate with mechanical and controls engineers on integration and stability.
• Support instrument control, automated measurements, and data analysis workflows.
• Specify optical components and supplier capabilities; assist with vendor decisions.
• Identify performance drivers for manufacturing and translate findings into tests.

Skills

Optical fundamentals

Hands-on assembly & testing

Experiment design & measurement

Analytical methods & simulation

Programming (Python, MATLAB)

Data analysis & verification

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Technical communication

Education

B.S. in Optical Engineering

B.S. in Photonics

B.S. in Physics / Electrical/Mechanical engineering

Tools

Zemax

LightTools

COMSOL

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About TTM

TTM Technologies, Inc. – Publicly Traded US Company, NASDAQ (TTMI) – Top-5 Global Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer

TTM Technologies, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of technology products, including mission systems, radio frequency ("RF") components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and technologically advanced printed circuit boards ("PCBs"). TTM stands for time-to-market, representing how TTM's time-critical, one-stop design, engineering and manufacturing services enable customers to reduce the time required to develop new products and bring them to market. Additional information can be found at www.ttm.com.

We are seeking an Optical Systems Engineer with strong optics and photonics fundamentals and a hands‑on approach to designing, building, and evaluating optical systems. The right candidate can connect optical theory and modeling with experimental results, translate evolving technical needs into practical designs and measurement approaches, and collaborate effectively across mechanical, electrical, controls, and manufacturing disciplines. This role provides optical engineering expertise for emerging technologies, experimental platforms, and manufacturing capabilities. Work spans feasibility studies and optical architecture through prototype integration, performance characterization, and support for manufacturing implementation. Opportunities span early‑career through senior technical levels. The scope of independent design ownership and technical leadership will reflect demonstrated capability, with experienced engineers serving as optical subject matter experts and guiding system‑level technical decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Optical Requirements & Architecture: Translate functional objectives into optical requirements, system concepts, and verification approaches. Identify critical unknowns, evaluate alternative architectures, and define interfaces with mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Optical Design & Modeling: Develop and evaluate optical designs using analytical methods and appropriate simulation tools. Apply ray optics, wave optics, or coupled physical models as needed to understand propagation, coupling, imaging, interference, polarization, and other performance‑driving effects.
• Performance & Sensitivity Analysis: Develop optical performance budgets and evaluate sensitivity to component variation, alignment, source and detector characteristics, and environmental conditions. Translate these findings into actionable requirements for component selection, mechanical design, positioning, and control.
• Experimental System Development: Design, assemble, align, and troubleshoot optical experiments and prototype systems. Select and integrate sources, detectors, optical components, positioning hardware, and instrumentation appropriate to the application.
• Optical Test & Measurement: Develop characterization methods that establish whether components and systems meet functional requirements. Define test configurations, reference measurements, calibration needs, and acceptance criteria while accounting for measurement uncertainty and potential artifacts.
• Multidisciplinary Integration: Collaborate with mechanical and controls engineers on mounting, stability, motion, sensing, and feedback requirements. Understand how subsystem behavior affects optical performance and help resolve integration issues without losing sight of the overall system objective.
• Data Acquisition & Analysis: Develop or support instrument control, automated measurements, signal processing, and data‑analysis workflows. Compare experimental results with model predictions, investigate discrepancies, and refine designs or test methods accordingly.
• Component & Vendor Evaluation: Specify optical components and instruments, assess supplier capabilities and technical data, and support make‑or‑buy decisions. Work with vendors and external specialists to clarify requirements and resolve optical performance issues.
• Manufacturing & Environmental Support: Identify optical performance drivers that must be controlled during assembly, inspection, and operation. Work with process, opto‑mechanical, and reliability engineers to translate development findings into practical manufacturing tests and evaluate performance under relevant environmental conditions.
• Technical Documentation & Leadership: Prepare optical specifications, design analyses, test procedures, and technical reports. Communicate assumptions, limitations, and recommendations clearly. More experienced engineers may establish optical development strategies, lead technical reviews, mentor others, and identify when additional specialist expertise is needed.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: B.S. in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with substantial optics‑related education or demonstrated practical experience. An advanced degree with relevant experimental or design work is valued but not required. Relevant experience may come from optical product development, instrumentation, research, manufacturing technology development, or comparable hands‑on engineering work. Position level will reflect demonstrated technical depth, independence, and scope of responsibility rather than a fixed number of years.
• Strong understanding of optical fundamentals and the ability to apply them to practical design and measurement problems.
• Hands‑on experience building, aligning, testing, or troubleshooting optical systems, supported by an understanding of the physical principles governing their operation.
• Experience using analytical methods, optical simulation, scientific programming, or experimental data analysis to inform engineering decisions.
• Working understanding of mechanical positioning and stability, sensors and actuators, data acquisition, and feedback concepts sufficient to collaborate effectively on integrated systems.
• Ability to distinguish optical behavior from measurement artifacts, identify important uncertainties, and design experiments that resolve technical questions.
• Ability to work through incomplete requirements, seek appropriate guidance, and revise an approach based on evidence and feedback.
• Clear technical communication, reproducible documentation, and commitment to applicable optical and laser safety practices.
• For senior‑level opportunities, demonstrated ability to independently define optical architectures and validation strategies, assess technical risk, and provide subject matter guidance across disciplines.
• Preferred experience in one or more of the following: Fiber optics, waveguides, optical interconnects, or free‑space optical systems. Interferometry, optical sensing, imaging, illumination, polarization, or laser‑based instrumentation. Optical design and simulation tools such as Zemax, LightTools, COMSOL, or comparable software. Scientific programming, instrument control, and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or comparable tools. Optical alignment automation, machine vision, or closed‑loop optimization. Thermal, mechanical, or material effects on optical performance. Transitioning experimental optical systems into robust products, repeatable test platforms, or manufacturing applications.
• Candidates are not expected to have experience in every listed technology. Depth in relevant optical disciplines, sound experimental judgment, and the ability to contribute across system interfaces are valued over familiarity with any single application or software package.

Preferred Experience

• Fiber optics, waveguides, optical interconnects, or free‑space optical systems.
• Interferometry, optical sensing, imaging, illumination, polarization, or laser‑based instrumentation.
• Optical design and simulation tools such as Zemax, LightTools, COMSOL, or comparable software.
• Scientific programming, instrument control, and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or comparable tools.
• Optical alignment automation, machine vision, or closed‑loop optimization.
• Thermal, mechanical, or material effects on optical performance.
• Transitioning experimental optical systems into robust products, repeatable test platforms, or manufacturing applications.

Compensation and Benefits

TTM offers a variety of health and well‑being benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, accident benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid vacation & holidays. Benefits are available 1st of the month following date of hire.

Compensation for roles at TTM Technologies varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set and level of experience. As required by local law, TTM provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in NewYork, California and Colorado. For California‑based roles, compensation ranges are based upon specific physical locations.

Export Statement

Must comply with TTM Export Control Policies and Procedures and all applicable laws including ITAR, EAR and OFAC including but not limited to: a) being able to identify ITAR product on the manufacturing floor and understand that access to these products and related technical data is restricted to only US Citizens and US Permanent Residents; b) recognition of Foreign Person visitors by badge differentiation; c) understand and follow authorization procedures for bringing foreign visitors into facilities (VAL); d) understand the Export and ITAR requirements for shipments leaving the US; e) manage vendor approvals for ITAR manufacturing and services.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.

TTM Technologies, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of technology products, including mission systems, radio frequency ("RF") components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and technologically advanced interconnect products, including PCBs and substrates. TTM stands for time‑to‑market, representing how TTM's time‑critical, one‑stop design, engineering and manufacturing services enable customers to reduce the time required to develop new products and bring them to market. Additional information can be found at www.ttm.com.