Senior Optical Engineer

Alcon; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Flexible time off

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Alcon is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support its R&D team in Fort Worth, Texas. You will innovate in optical design and simulation to advance vision-restoring technologies, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Ideal candidates will possess strong skills in optical design using Zemax/Code V and proficiency in Python. This role offers growth opportunities within a culture focused on innovative eye care solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience.
• Ability to fluently read, write, and communicate in English.
• 2 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive cross-functional innovation with diverse engineering teams.
• Lead end-to-end optical design using Zemax and develop optics.
• Own IOL R&D programs from conceptual research to execution.
• Leverage advanced computation to improve performance robustness.
• Set the technical bar and mentor others on best practices.

Skills

Optical design

Simulation using Zemax/Code V

Data-driven analysis (Python, MATLAB)

Knowledge of ISO, FDA, MDD

Creativity in problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Zemax

Code V

Python

Job description

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you'll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.

We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon.

As a Senior Optical Engineer supporting the Intraocular Lens (IOL) R&D and Advanced Optics team, you will be trusted to work on proprietary optical design, simulation, and metrology innovations that advance vision-restoring ophthalmic technologies at our Fort Worth, Texas site.

In this role, a typical day will include:

• Driving cross‑functional innovation with Optics, Ophthalmology, Chemistry, and Mechanical Engineering teams to solve complex IOL and vision‑correction challenges, advancing Alcon's mission to help people see brilliantly.
• Leading end‑to‑end optical design and simulation using Zemax/Code V, developing proprietary optics optimized for human vision and defining rigorous optical metrology to ensure world‑class performance.
• Owning critical IOL R&D programs, from conceptual research through execution, applying deep technical judgment and creativity to introduce new design methodologies, materials, or processes; success measured by technical maturity and clinical impact.
• Leveraging advanced computation and data‑driven analysis (Python, MATLAB, ML/data libraries) to accelerate design decisions, improve performance robustness, and elevate engineering efficiency.
• Setting the technical bar and mentoring others, leading design reviews, influencing best practices, and ensuring compliance with ISO, FDA, and MDD standards – contributing to Alcon's culture of excellence, accountability, and patient‑first innovation.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON:

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +10 yrs; Associate +6 yrs; M.S. +0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
• 2 Years of Relevant Experience

PREFERRED:

• Proven ability to develop solutions for problems that require the regular use of creativity.
• Knowledge of ISO, FDA, MDD and regulations applicable to the design and development of medical device/science/technology.
• Understands applied practice, concepts and processes in a defined discipline or scientific/technical field.
• Provides specific advice in own area and recommends improvements to well‑established and clearly defined processes.
• Encounters problems that are varied but similar. Requires some fact‑finding to define problem. Selects the best option from a set of defined procedures or based on precedence.
• Proficiency in Python and common ML/data libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, scikit‑learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow) or MATLAB.
• Experience with optical design, optical engineering and optical software like Zemax or Code V are required.
• Candidates with an advanced degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics or a related engineering field will be given preference.

RELOCATION: Yes

SPONSORSHIP: Yes

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:

• See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
• Join Alcon's mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
• Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off for exempt associates, PTO for hourly associates, and much more!

Alcon Careers

See your impact at alcon.com/careers

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ALCON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY

Alcon takes pride in maintaining an inclusive environment that values different perspectives and our policies are non‑discriminatory in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.