Optical Systems MDE Lead

Divergent; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Bonus opportunities

Health benefits

Paid time off

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Divergent is seeking a hands-on optical systems lead within its Manufacturing Development Engineering team in Los Angeles. You will own integration, commissioning, and long-term calibration stability of optical subsystems across LPBF machines, while mentoring a small team of optics engineers and staying actively engaged in builds and troubleshooting.

You will partner with hardware, controls/software, and operations to resolve performance issues, develop verification methods, and drive continuous

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in electro-optical or opto-mechanical systems design, integration, or calibration
• Experience developing and validating calibration and verification processes for optical or laser systems
• Hands-on experience integrating high-power lasers, scanners/galvos, or beam delivery optics
• Experience with RCCA and technical troubleshooting of complex electro-optical systems
• Strong technical documentation skills (work instructions, test procedures, calibration standards)
• Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor others while remaining technically hands-on

Responsibilities

• Own optical subsystem integration and stabilization across LPBF machine builds, from initial bring-up through commissioning and steady-state production
• Lead development of calibration procedures and verification methods that confirm calibration integrity is maintained over time
• Build and lead a small team of optics engineers, working alongside them on builds, calibration, troubleshooting, and RCCA
• Partner with hardware design, controls/software, process engineering, and operations to resolve optical performance issues affecting build quality, uptime, and throughput
• Own documentation for optical subsystems: work instructions, calibration and verification procedures, acceptance criteria, and test plans
• Lead RCCA on optical-related failures and escapes; own corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence
• Establish metrics for optical system health (calibration hold time, drift rate, verification pass rate, MTBF) and drive continuous improvement
• Train technicians and engineers on calibration, alignment, and laser safety practices
• Support scale-up and replication of optical systems and processes across additional machines and factories
• Leadership & Management: Lead and develop a small team with clear expectations, real-time feedback, and accountability, while remaining hands-on

Skills

Electro-optical systems

Opto-mechanical systems

Calibration

Team leadership

Laser safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optics/Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

Divergent is seeking a hands-on optical systems lead within its Manufacturing Development Engineering team in Los Angeles. You will own integration, commissioning, and long-term calibration stability of optical subsystems across LPBF machines, while mentoring a small team of optics engineers and staying actively engaged in builds and troubleshooting.

You will partner with hardware, controls/software, and operations to resolve performance issues, develop verification methods, and drive continuous