Principal Optical Scientist

GPD Optoelectronics Corp.; Salem (NH); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

GPD Optoelectronics Corp. is seeking a Principal Optical Scientist to lead and hands-on design advanced optical systems in Salem, NH. You will mentor an electro-optical team, drive technology roadmaps, and deliver high-performance imaging, sensing, and laser solutions for next-generation products.

The role requires 15+ years of electro-optical experience, a master’s (PhD preferred), and strong proficiency in optical bench testing, fiber packaging, and scripting for test automation.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in optics or related field required; PhD preferred.
• 15+ years in design, test, and transfer to production of complex electrooptic systems.
• Hands-on optical bench experience testing and prototyping electrooptical systems.
• Experience with fiber optic packaging, alignment, and robust packaging.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to mentor and lead teams.
• US Person or Citizen; active security clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define optical architecture and technology roadmap from concept to production.
• Lead trade studies balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, size, and weight.
• Perform advanced optical analysis including tolerance, stray light, polarization, diffraction, thermal effects.
• Lead fiber optic packaging design and hermetic packaging solutions.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to enable design for manufacturability.
• Hands-on lab work testing concepts, characterizing performance, and prototyping.
• Coach and develop a technical team while delivering high-quality contributions.
• Contribute to IP generation, publications, and external presentations as appropriate.
• Lead or support technical proposals, customer discussions, and strategic investments.
• Present concepts and program status to senior management and customers.

Skills

Optical bench testing

Team leadership

Electro-optical systems

Fiber optic packaging

DFM integration

Prototyping

Publications & presentations

Python scripting

MATLAB scripting

Education

Master’s degree in Optics/Optical Engineering/Physics

PhD preferred

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Due to EXTENSIVE growth, we are currently looking for folks that share our passion to reveal the invisible!

The Principal Optical Scientist serves as both a hands-on technical leader and mentor. This is a true player-coach role: you will personally design and deliver advanced optical systems while building and leading an electro-optical design team. You will drive innovation in imaging, sensing, laser systems, fiber optics, and related electro-optic technologies, set technical strategy, and deliver breakthrough performance for next-generation products in a fast-paced, rapidly growing company.

This office-based, full-time, exempt, role will report to the CEO and will be located in Salem, NH.

Key Responsibilities:

• Help define and own the optical architecture and technology roadmap for complex systems, from concept through production.
• Drive rigorous trade studies balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, size, weight, and reliability.
• Perform advanced optical analysis including tolerance analysis, stray light, polarization, diffraction, thermal, and environmental effects.
• Lead or contribute to fiber optic packaging design, including fiber alignment, coupling, connectorization, and hermetic or robust packaging solutions for electrooptic systems.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, systems, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Work extensively at the optical bench to test concepts, characterize performance, and prototype electrooptical systems - remaining handson in the lab as needed.
• Guide prototype development, lab testing, characterization, and validation of optical hardware.
• Provide technical coaching while fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Contribute to IP generation, technical publications, and external presentations when appropriate.
• Lead or support technical proposal writing, customer technical discussions, and strategic technology investments.
• Confidently present technical concepts, designs, and program status to senior management and customers.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Preference will be given to candidates who hold an active S/TS security clearance.
• Ability to thrive in a fastpaced, rapidly growing company environment.
• Master’s degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field is required; PhD is strongly preferred.
• 15+years of experience in the design, test, and transfer to production of complex electrooptic systems, with a proven track record of delivering highperformance optical solutions from concept through manufacturing.
• Deep handson experience at the optical bench testing concepts and prototyping electrooptical systems at photodetector packaging and subsystem level
• Handson experience with fiber optic packaging, including fiber alignment, coupling efficiency optimization, and packaging for reliability and manufacturability.
• Deep expertise in geometrical and physical optics, imaging systems, and at least one specialized domain (e.g., precision optics, laser systems, or fiber Telcom).
• Mastery of optical design software (and strong proficiency in scripting for test automation (Python, MATLAB).
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a playercoach: delivering highquality individual technical contributions while effectively building, mentoring, and elevating the performance of a technical team.
• Strong experimental skills: optical lens characterization and alignment, interferometry, BERT testing methodologies, and data analysis. That enjoys working on the optical bench.
• Experience writing technical proposals and presenting complex technical information clearly and confidently to senior management and customers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with freeform optics, diffractive optics, and metaoptics / metalenses,. development and sourcing
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices, requirements management, and risk analysis.
• US Person or Citizen

MISC:

• Able to lift up to 25lbs.
• Travel may be required approx. 1015%

GPD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.