Senior Optical Engineer

AllSTEM Connections; Niwot (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AllSTEM Connections is seeking an experienced Optoelectronics Engineer to help develop advanced optical detection and scientific instrumentation technologies. This senior role focuses on low-noise analog electronics, photodetectors, weak-signal processing, and integrating complete detection systems.

You will lead technical projects, collaborate across engineering disciplines, and mentor other engineers. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with low-noise analog circuits,

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Electrical/Optical Physics or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Hands-on experience designing low-noise analog circuits, amplifiers, and sensitive detection electronics.
• Experience with photodiodes, APDs, photon-counting systems or related photodetection technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop low-noise analog circuits and amplifiers for high-sensitivity optical detection systems.
• Evaluate and integrate photodetectors, including photodiodes, APDs, and photon-counting technologies.
• Develop signal-processing solutions to improve signal-to-noise performance and detect extremely weak optical signals.
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, and physics teams to develop and integrate complete detection systems.
• Lead early-stage R&D efforts, including concept development, rapid prototyping, testing, and design validation.
• Troubleshoot complex system-level performance challenges and translate research concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert and mentor other engineers.

Skills

Analog design

Photodetectors

Signal processing

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree / Advanced degree preferred

Tools

SPICE

MATLAB

Zemax

Job description

Optical Detection Systems | Advanced R&D

We are seeking an experienced Optoelectronics Engineer to help develop advanced optical detection and scientific instrumentation technologies. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex technical problems, developing new concepts, and turning innovative ideas into working solutions.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience with low-noise analog electronics, photodetectors, weak-signal processing, and optical measurement systems. This is a senior individual contributor role with opportunities to lead technical projects, collaborate across engineering disciplines, and mentor other engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop low-noise analog circuits and amplifiers for high-sensitivity optical detection systems.
• Evaluate and integrate photodetectors, including photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes (APDs), and photon-counting technologies.
• Develop signal-processing solutions to improve signal-to-noise performance and detect extremely weak optical signals.
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, and physics teams to develop and integrate complete detection systems.
• Lead early-stage R&D efforts, including concept development, rapid prototyping, testing, and design validation.
• Troubleshoot complex system-level performance challenges and translate research concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert and mentor other engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related technical field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Significant hands-on experience designing low-noise analog circuits, amplifiers, and sensitive detection electronics.
• Experience working with photodiodes, APDs, photon-counting systems, or related photodetection technologies.
• Strong understanding of signal processing, noise reduction, and high-sensitivity measurement techniques.
• Experience developing precision instrumentation, optical detection systems, or scientific measurement equipment.
• Ability to work across electrical engineering, optics, and physics disciplines.
• Experience leading complex technical projects and supporting early-stage R&D.

Preferred Experience

• Optical scattering, spectroscopy, or laser-based measurement techniques.
• SPICE, MATLAB, Zemax, or similar engineering tools.
• Rapid prototyping and development of new technologies.
• Experience in scientific instrumentation, photonics, medical devices, aerospace, defense, or advanced research environments.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys hands-on technical challenges, advanced research, and developing technologies from concept through working prototype.