Senior Optical Engineer – Precision Neuroscience Instruments

Astera Institute; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Open Science Policy

Job summary

Astera Neuro is hiring a world-class optical engineer to design and build the optical instruments large-scale neuroscience depends on, from two-photon imaging to fast interfacing with brain tissue at cellular resolution.

You will own complex instruments end-to-end, from concept through fabrication, integration, and reliable operation, with a strong emphasis on rapid prototyping and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD, MS, or BS with 3-12 years of experience in optical engineering, biomedical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• A world-class generalist and hands-on problem-solver who has built precision hardware in high-precision industry.
• Resourcefulness about getting things built quickly: machining, 3D-printing, and outsourcing.
• Comfort working from a rough idea toward a working instrument with collaborators.
• Deep fundamentals in optical design and fabrication.
• Intellectually curious, collaborative, and eager to learn the science around you.
• Track record of owning complex instruments end-to-end from concept to operation.
• Experience making design tradeoffs across performance, manufacturability, cost, and timeline.
• Experience equipping and running an optical workshop or prototyping facility.

Responsibilities

• Design precision optical systems for neuroscience experiments.
• Develop a miniature two-photon microscope capable of imaging and photostimulation in freely moving animals.
• Build electronics, control hardware, and software interfacing the optical systems with data acquisition and the research stack.

Skills

Optical design

Hands-on hardware

Generalist problem-solver

Fabrication

Collaboration

Machining/3D printing

Education

PhD, MS, or BS with 3–12 years in optical/related fields

Tools

CAD/CAM

3D printing

DAQ systems

PCB design

TTL synchronization

Job description

Astera Neuro is hiring a world-class optical engineer to design and build the optical instruments large-scale neuroscience depends on, from two-photon imaging to fast interfacing with brain tissue at cellular resolution.

You will own complex instruments end-to-end, from concept through fabrication, integration, and reliable operation, with a strong emphasis on rapid prototyping and cross-disciplinary collaboration.