Principal Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer

ApTask Global Workforce; Tustin (MI); On-site; USD 141,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

ApTask Global Workforce is seeking a Principal Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer for an Aerospace and Defense Technology Company in Tustin, CA. You will conceive and develop optical, mechanical, and opto-mechanical system layouts for mission-critical applications.

The role requires strong CAD skills with SolidWorks, extensive optical design expertise, tolerance analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet performance, schedule, and cost objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 9+ years in opto-mechanical or related field.
• Strong knowledge of optical and mechanical design principles.
• Experience with 3D CAD and tolerance analysis; SolidWorks favored.

Responsibilities

• Design intricate opto-mechanical components and assemblies for airborne and space platforms.
• Lead product design initiatives and ensure all specifications are met.
• Provide technical guidance to program management and cross-functional partners.
• Produce drawings, BoMs, procedures, and documentation in line with standards.
• Support proposals, customer presentations, and quotes.
• Improve designs and processes to meet cost and performance objectives.
• Coordinate tasks and participate in R&D initiatives for new tech.

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

SolidWorks CAD

Tolerance analysis

Optical design

Cross-functional teamwork

Vendor coordination

FEA (Simcenter or FEMAP)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Optical Engineering

Master’s degree

Ph.D.

Tools

SolidWorks

Simcenter

FEMAP

Job description

Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) is seeking a Principal Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer for a position with an Aerospace and Defense Technology Company located in Tustin, CA.

This role is responsible for conceiving and developing optical, mechanical, and opto-mechanical system and subsystem layouts. The ideal candidate will create highly complex designs using 3D solid modeling tools, collaborating with cross-functional partners to ensure optimal system performance for mission-critical applications in ISR&T, space, missile, and directed energy.

Responsibilities:

• Design intricate opto-mechanical components and assemblies (such as telescopes and sensors) for airborne and space platforms
• Lead product design initiatives and process development efforts, ensuring all specifications and technical requirements are met
• Support program management by offering technical guidance and recommendations
• Resolve fabrication issues, conduct root cause evaluations, and produce clear technical documentation
• Coordinate design engineering tasks and contribute to conceptual and R&D initiatives for emerging technologies
• Produce drawings, procedures, work instructions, and Bills of Materials in accordance with document and configuration control standards
• Assist Business Development by supporting proposals, customer presentations, and quotes for prospective programs
• Provide tooling design support for new and ongoing efforts and create assembly/testing procedures
• Improve existing designs and processes to identify and implement enhancements
• Ensure designs align with program financial objectives, including providing estimates and status updates to program managers
• Determine the manufacturability of design concepts and participate in troubleshooting and testing activities for assigned programs

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of experience
• Strong grasp of optical and mechanical design principles, with the ability to apply engineering theories effectively
• Significant experience with CAD software; SolidWorks is preferred

Desired skills:

• Master’s degree with 7 years; or Ph.D. with 4 years in mechanical engineering or a related field
• Proven ability to deliver results both independently and in team settings, along with strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Robust mechanical design skills with CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) and familiarity with FEA software (Simcenter or FEMAP preferred)
• Expertise in designing optical systems for advanced light sources, including detailed tolerance analysis, manufacturability, and cost considerations
• Experience applying design for assembly and integration practices to complex opto-mechanical devices, including tolerance stack up analysis
• Knowledge of metal machining and optical fabrication processes (grinding, polishing, coating, testing)
• Understanding of thermal, mechanical, vibration, and shock influences on optical systems
• Technical experience with optical alignment tools, metrology, and assembly procedures
• Familiarity with materials used in refractive systems across IR, SWIR, NIR, Visible, and UV spectra, as well as mechanical substrates and coatings
• Experience working with vendors/suppliers for optics, mechanical parts, tooling, and coatings
• Skilled in troubleshooting and supporting alignment, testing, and analysis activities for opto-mechanical systems

Salary range: from $141,091 – $193,999 per year

ApTask Global Workforce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.