Senior Principal Optical Engineer — Hybrid/Remote

Coherent Corp.; Saxonburg (PA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is seeking an experienced optics leader to drive design, simulation, and integration across fiber optics and Si‑Photonics domains. You will collaborate with customers and internal teams to advance products from prototyping to high‑volume production.

The role requires strong problem‑solving, independent planning, and ability to travel domestically and internationally. Hybrid/remote work options are available in this global organization.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optics, Optical Engineering, or Opto‑mechanical instrumentation; BS with hands-on experience considered.
• 10+ years’ experience in design, simulation, testing, and inspection of fiber optics, optical imaging systems, laser, illumination or other optical systems.
• At least 5 years’ experience in optical design and simulations for fiber optics, Si‑Photonics, laser, life science, LiDAR, machine vision.
• Experience bringing optical products through product life cycle from prototyping to volume production.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional technical support to internal departments, sales and marketing teams worldwide, and customers as needed.
• Introduce and help develop efficient and improved methods for optical system assembly and inspection as needed.
• Involved directly with new product development projects incorporating optical, electrical, mechanical, software and system integration engineering functions.
• Ensure meeting project schedule and milestones, and completion of complex cross‑disciplinary activities within project team.
• Conduct and manage design documents, ECR/ECO, design change implementation in new product release process.
• Communicates project status and progresses to management as appropriate, including recommendations on resources, process development, and product improvement and management.
• Individual contributor on the project team in addition to project management responsibilities.
• Keep abreast of customer needs and new competitive products, assessing the related impact on company projects/products development plans.
• Identify, select, and implement new development, component, manufacturing and/or testing technologies.
• Maintain technical relationships with key suppliers, as needed.

Skills

Si‑Photonics

Optics

Fiber optics

Optical networks

Optical design tools

Precision mechanics

Test planning

Mandarin Chinese

Education

MS/PhD in Optics or Optical Engineering

BS with hands-on experience considered

Tools

Optical design tools

OptiStudio

Code‑V

Job description

Coherent Corp. is seeking an experienced optics leader to drive design, simulation, and integration across fiber optics and Si‑Photonics domains. You will collaborate with customers and internal teams to advance products from prototyping to high‑volume production.

The role requires strong problem‑solving, independent planning, and ability to travel domestically and internationally. Hybrid/remote work options are available in this global organization.