Senior Optical Engineer

Programmers.io; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Programmers.io in Mountain View, CA seeks an experienced Optical Engineer to contribute to AR hardware development through advanced optical design and simulation. The role emphasizes leading cross-functional projects and delivering timelines with executives and engineering teams.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in optical design, proficiency with Zemax/LightTools/CodeV, and a track record of driving design outcomes in fast-paced product development environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience in optical design and simulation for consumer electronics.
• Experience in optical simulation software (e.g., Zemax, Lighttools, CodeV).
• Experience leading technical projects and collaborating with executive cross-functional engineering teams to deliver objectives and timelines.

Skills

Optical design

Optical simulation

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Computer Science / Physics or related field

Tools

Zemax

LightTools

CodeV

Job description

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience in optical design and simulation for consumer electronics.
• Experience in optical simulation software (e.g., Zemax, Lighttools, CodeV).
• Experience leading technical projects and collaborating with executive cross-functional engineering teams to deliver objectives and timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Optical / Mechanical engineering or a relevant technical field.
• Specialized experience in Augmented Reality (AR) design and bringing AR hardware to market.
• Proven proficiency in Python for automating optical simulations, data post-processing, and generating design reports.
• Familiarity with camera systems, sensors, and display technologies.
• Track record of successfully navigating ambiguity-driven design challenges in a fast-paced product development environment.