Physicist - Opto Sigma - Costa Mesa, CA

Optical Society of Southern California; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off and holidays

Life and disability insurance

Opportunities for professional growth

Job summary

OptoSigma Corporation in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Physicist to support design, analysis, and characterization of optical and optomechanical systems. The role collaborates with optical, mechanical, and systems teams on challenging projects from research instrumentation to production systems.

The candidate will analyze systems using first-principles physics, develop experiments to validate designs, and mentor junior engineers, translating theory into practical test plans and robust designs.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Physics, Optics, Optical Engineering, or related field, or a bachelor's with 5+ years of directly relevant experience.
• Strong foundation in optics, electromagnetics, and/or photonics.
• Experience with optical design/simulation software or optical test and measurement equipment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and model optical and optomechanical systems using first-principles physics and simulations.
• Design, specify, and characterize optical assemblies and systems.
• Develop experiments to validate designs, troubleshoot performance, and characterize components.
• Collaborate on system-level design trade-offs and tolerancing.
• Provide technical guidance on optical design, metrology, and testing methodologies.
• Support new product development from concept through validation.
• Document analysis, test methods, and results for internal and customer use.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians on best practices.
• Translate theoretical analysis into practical designs and test plans.
• Communicate technical results clearly in writing and verbally.

Skills

Optics fundamentals

EM/Photonics

Analysis & modeling

Education

MS/PhD in Physics/Optics/Optical Eng

BA with 5+ years directly relevant exp

Tools

Optical design software

Test & measurement equipment

Job description

Physicist

Optical Physics & Systems Engineering | Advanced Degree or 5+ Years Experience

Location: On-site

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Engineering Manager

About OptoSigma

OptoSigma is a leading provider of optical components, opto-mechanics, systems, and solutions for research, development, and manufacturing applications. We specialize in providing high-quality products to various industries, including semiconductors, aerospace, defense, and more. We are committed to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Our teams design and build everything from single optical elements to complex multi-element assemblies and systems, working alongside in-house optical, mechanical, systems, electrical, and software engineers. Precision, quality, and hands-on craftsmanship are central to how we work.

About The Role

We're seeking an experienced Physicist to support the design, analysis, and characterization of optical & optomechanical systems and components. This role works closely with optical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to solve complex technical challenges across a wide range of applications, from research instrumentation to production systems. We're looking for someone energetic and eager to jump into a wide variety of projects, bringing enthusiasm to solving new problems as they come up.

What You'll Do

• Analyze and model optical & optomechanical systems, components, and phenomena using first-principles physics and simulation tools.
• Support design, specification, and performance characterization of optical assemblies and systems.
• Develop and conduct experiments to validate designs, troubleshoot issues, and characterize component performance.
• Collaborate with optical and mechanical engineers on system-level design trade-offs and tolerancing.
• Provide technical guidance on optical design, metrology, and testing methodologies.
• Support new product development, from concept and feasibility through validation.
• Document analysis, test methods, and results for internal and customer-facing use.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians on best practice design principles and measurement techniques as needed.
• Ability to translate theoretical analysis into practical designs and test plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with comfort working in ambiguous, research-adjacent situations.
• Clear technical communication skills, written and verbal.

What We're Looking For

• MS or PhD in Physics, Optics, Optical Engineering, or related field, or a bachelor's degree in any of these fields with 5+ years of directly relevant experience.
• Strong foundation in optics, electromagnetics, and/or photonics.
• Experience with optical design/simulation software or optical test and measurement equipment.

OptoSigma Corporation
1540 Scenic Avenue, Suite 150
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 USA
[phone]
www.optosigma.com
[e-mail]

Nice to Have (Not Required)

• Experience in laser systems, metrology, interferometry, or precision optical alignment.
• Publication record or research experience in optics/photonics.
• Experience supporting product development in a manufacturing environment.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Life and disability insurance
• Opportunities for professional growth and development