Principal Optical Engineer

BioTalent Ltd; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Generous PTO

Job summary

BioTalent Ltd in San Diego, CA is seeking a Principal Optical Engineer to own the optical architecture of a next-generation DNA sequencing platform—from concept through commercialization.

You will drive design, simulation, tolerancing, and characterization of a high-sensitivity optical detection system, partnering closely with cross-functional and external CRO/CDMO teams to bring a manufacturable product to market.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in optical engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of optical engineering experience with multiple products commercialized.
• Expert-level Zemax OpticStudio (sequential and non-sequential modeling, optimization, tolerancing).
• Hands-on bench experience with optical alignment, testing, and characterization.
• Experience with CRO/CDMOs and contract manufacturers on make-vs-buy and design transfer.
• Deep knowledge of aberrations, diffraction, radiometry, polarization, and detector/sensor selection.

Responsibilities

• Define optical architecture and technical strategy for high-throughput DNA sequencing platforms.
• Lead end-to-end design, modeling, and optimization of illumination, imaging, and detection paths.
• Perform optical design, ray tracing, tolerance analysis, and stray-light analysis in Zemax OpticStudio.
• Build, align, test, and characterize optical prototypes and subsystems on the bench.
• Define specs for custom optical components, coatings, and sources; own supplier drawings and acceptance criteria.
• Partner with manufacturing contractors to transfer designs from prototype to volume production.
• Lead the optical system through feasibility, design verification, design transfer, and commercial launch.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and assay teams for full instrument integration.

Skills

Optical system design

Project leadership

Illumination design

Imaging design

Abberation knowledge

Education

M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering or related field

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Job description

Principal Optical Engineer | San Diego, CA (Onsite)

We're hiring aPrincipal Optical Engineerto own the optical architecture of a next-generation DNA sequencing platform — from concept through commercialization. You'll drive the design, simulation, tolerancing, and characterization of a high-sensitivity optical detection system, partnering closely with cross-functional and external CRO/CDMO teams to bring a manufacturable product to market.

What You'll Do

• Define optical architecture and technical strategy for high-throughput DNA sequencing platforms
• Lead end-to-end design, modeling, and optimization of illumination, imaging, and detection paths
• Perform optical design, ray tracing, tolerance analysis, and stray-light analysis in Zemax OpticStudio
• Build, align, test, and characterize optical prototypes and subsystems on the bench
• Define specs for custom optical components, coatings, and sources; own supplier drawings and acceptance criteria
• Partner with manufacturing contractors to transfer designs from prototype to volume production
• Lead the optical system through feasibility, design verification, design transfer, and commercial launch
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and assay teams for full instrument integration

What You Bring

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of optical engineering/system design experience with multiple products commercialized
• Expert-level Zemax OpticStudio (sequential and non-sequential modeling, optimization, tolerancing)
• Hands-on bench experience with optical alignment, testing, and characterization
• Experience working with CRO/CDMOs and contract manufacturers on make-vs-buy and design transfer
• Deep knowledge of aberrations, diffraction, radiometry, polarization, and detector/sensor selection
• Preferred: experience with ultra-high-sensitivity detection (fluorescence, single-molecule, low-light imaging) and life science/genomics/diagnostics instruments

Compensation & Benefits

• $175,000–$210,000/year (DOE)
• Medical, dental, vision; company-paid life insurance; 401(k); generous PTO