Sr. Optical Engineer

alcon; Belmont (CA); On-site; USD 102,850 - 133,100; Full time

Job summary

Alcon in Belmont, CA seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Engineering team. You will design, test and analyze optical systems, support research on light behavior and imaging performance, and develop simulations and data analysis tools.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and 2+ years of relevant experience; knowledge of Zemax or Code V and optical metrology methods is preferred. On-site, competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of directly related experience.
• Fluent reading, writing, understanding and communication in English.
• 2 years of relevant optical engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Utilize Agile development fundamentals to deliver innovative solutions in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Identify, develop, and qualify optical metrology solutions for IOL characterization.
• Develop and validate optical modeling simulations of IOL performance.
• Develop software, image processing pipelines, and data analysis tools.
• Integrate instrumentation with custom optical breadboards and systems.
• Create documentation and procedures for verification, validation and ISO readiness.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

Zemax

Code V

MATLAB

Python

R

C

Job description

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?

Alcon is looking to hire a Senior Optical Engineer team member. This role is part of Alcon's Engineering function, a team focused on improving quality, processes, products, packaging and materials across our business to help deliver brilliant outcomes. The Sr. Associate, Optical Engineering (Science/Tech/Engineering Path), is primarily responsible for contributing to the design, testing, and analysis of optical systems by supporting research on light behavior, material interactions, and imaging performance. You will assist in simulations, validate prototypes, and optimize optical components.

This role is on-site in our Belmont, CA location and a typical day would include:

• Utilize Agile development fundamentals to deliver innovative solutions in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Identification, development, and qualification of optical metrology solutions for accommodating IOL characterization, including EFL, MTF, wavefront, and custom optical property measurements.
• Develop and validate optical modeling simulations representing IOL performance in metrology instruments and in-eye optical conditions.
• Develop software, image processing pipelines, and data analysis tools to extract performance metrics from large experimental datasets.
• Integrate off-the-shelf instrumentation with custom optical breadboards and home-grown systems at the bench and system level.
• Development of documentation and procedures for verification and validation of new and existing optical metrology equipment in GxP environments.
• Work in a hands-on, multi-disciplinary environment to design, model, and test optical systems and metrology technologies in laboratory and clean environment conditions.
• Identification, development, and demonstration (proof-of-concept) of optical metrology solutions for accommodating IOL programs.
• Contribute to sourcing and development of electro-optical instruments and sub-systems from partner vendors.
• Develop component specifications, tolerances, simulations, and test procedures for electro-optical systems and components.
• Evaluate and document system compliance for ISO validation of equipment optics.
• Implement innovative approaches for delivering optical technology solutions faster and with higher quality.
• Develop documentation and procedures for measurement system analysis (MSA), verification, and validation of new and existing equipment.
• Communicate and present complex optical concepts and experimental results clearly to non-expert audiences using effective data visualizations.

What You'll Bring To Alcon:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or coursework in optical design and simulation (Zemax or Code V); hands‑on experience with multi-element lens systems preferred
• Experience with optical metrology methods: wavefront sensing, interferometry, MTF, and focal length measurement
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, R, or C for engineering calculation, image processing, and data analysis (beyond Excel)
• Academic or work experience in laboratory testing and prototyping of optical systems
• Preferred experience or coursework in illumination system design and stray light analysis (FRED, LightTools)

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 a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.
• Travel - up to 10%

Alcon Careers

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Compensation and Benefits

Alcon's Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long-term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short-term and long-term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and wellbeing, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.

Pay Range 102,850.00 - 133,100.00

Pay Frequency Annual

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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.