Senior Metrology Engineer & Optical Systems Lead

Syntec Optics; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Syntec Optics seeks a Chief Engineer – Metrology in Rochester, NY to lead optical metrology strategy across fabrication, coating, and assembly. You will define high-precision measurement methods and oversee advanced equipment including Zygo scopes and interferometers.

You’ll guide system-level validation, calibration, and reliability programs, while mentoring engineers and collaborating with Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in optical metrology or precision measurement engineering
• Advanced expertise in optical metrology, including Zygo scopes, interferometers, and optical profilometers
• Strong experience with optical measurement techniques, including irregularity, centration, alignment, and active alignment systems with feedback control
• Proficiency in system-level optical performance analysis, including sensor/image quality, MTF, and distortion
• Proven ability to design, develop, and implement custom optical testers and automated inspection systems
• Experience with reliability testing and qualification of optical assemblies
• Expertise in calibration, measurement uncertainty, and statistical/data-driven analysis
• Experience with automation and data analysis tools (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python)
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 / AS9100 quality standards and cleanroom manufacturing environments
• Strong leadership, technical mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Responsibilities

• Lead the metrology engineering strategy across optical fabrication, coating, and assembly
• Define best-in-class measurement methods for high-precision optical components and systems
• Oversee and optimize advanced metrology equipment, including Zygo interferometric scopes and interferometers
• Develop and standardize measurement techniques for surface irregularity and wavefront error
• Lead system-level optical performance validation, including sensor quality, MTF, and distortion
• Architect, design, and deploy custom optical testers and automated metrology systems
• Establish and manage reliability testing protocols for optical systems under environmental stress
• Define calibration processes, measurement uncertainty budgets, and MSA
• Ensure traceability to national standards (NIST)
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to ensure measurement capability
• Analyze metrology data to drive process improvements, yield enhancement, and defect reduction
• Support root cause analysis of optical performance issues and measurement discrepancies
• Provide technical leadership during customer audits and engineering reviews
• Mentor and develop metrology engineers and staff
• Direct technicians as needed and assist in metrology-purchase decisions

Skills

Optical metrology

Interferometry

System-level analysis

Leadership

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python

Statistics

Quality systems

Education

PhD in Optical Engineering

Tools

Zygo scopes

Profilometers

Job description

Syntec Optics seeks a Chief Engineer – Metrology in Rochester, NY to lead optical metrology strategy across fabrication, coating, and assembly. You will define high-precision measurement methods and oversee advanced equipment including Zygo scopes and interferometers.

You’ll guide system-level validation, calibration, and reliability programs, while mentoring engineers and collaborating with Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.