Sr. Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Velo3D; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401(K) employer contributions

Job summary

Velo3D is seeking an Senior Optical / Opto-Mechanical Engineer to design, test, and document advanced optical and opto‑mechanical subsystems for multi-laser metal additive manufacturing platforms. You will work independently and in teams to deliver capital equipment, from concept through production.

Responsibilities include leading designs for laser delivery assemblies, ensuring manufacturability, and coordinating with suppliers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in Optical or Opto-Mechanical Systems Design and Development (6+ years for Senior level).
• Experience with optical design and analysis software (Zemax or CODE V).
• Experience with mechanical CAD (SolidWorks).
• Experience with designing optical or laser systems for capital equipment in high value industries.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, aligning, calibrating, or troubleshooting complex optical/laser systems.
• Knowledge of laser beam delivery hardware and opto-mechanical components.
• GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and detailed drawing documentation.
• Familiarity with laser safety standards (IEC 60825).
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and document optical and opto‑mechanical systems and components (laser delivery, scan lenses, galvanometers).
• Propose specs, create test plans, and validate optical designs.
• Maintain optical layouts, alignment procedures, and opto‑mechanical schematics.
• Manage suppliers for prototype and production components.
• Support supply chain on end-of-life and obsolescence of optical components.
• Provide optical engineering support to hardware/software/process teams.
• Conduct system-level integration and validation of designs.
• Drive continuous improvement for optical performance and manufacturability.
• Document design BOMs, drawings, and procedures.
• Coordinate fabrication, alignment, installation, and repair of systems.
• Manage small to mid-sized projects from concept to production.
• Collaborate with Hardware, Software, and Process teams.

Skills

Optical design

Mechanical design

SolidWorks

Zemax/CODE V

GD&T

Laser safety IEC 60825

Hands-on testing

Independent thinking

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Zemax

CODE V

SolidWorks

Job description

The Senior Optical / Opto-Mechanical Engineer researches, develops, designs, tests, evaluates, and documents optical and opto-mechanical components, subassemblies, equipment, and systems, applying principles and techniques of optical and mechanical engineering to Velo3D's multi-laser metal additive manufacturing platforms. This position is responsible to work independently and as a member of a team supporting the development of capital equipment. Candidates with less than the experience listed below may be considered at a level commensurate with their experience.

Essential Functions

• Design and document optical and opto-mechanical systems and components, such as laser beam delivery assemblies, scan lenses, galvanometer scan heads, beam combiners/splitters, and protective windows.
• Propose specifications, create test plans, and conduct validation for optical and opto-mechanical designs.
• Maintain and create optical layout drawings, alignment/calibration procedures, and opto-mechanical schematics for current and future products.
• Manage suppliers for prototype and production optical and photonic components.
• Support supply chain for management of end-of-life and obsolescence of optical and laser components.
• Provide optical engineering expertise in support of other job functions, including hardware/software/process engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and field service.
• Conduct system level integration and validation of designs (testing and troubleshooting).
• Drive continuous improvement related to enhancing optical performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Drive full documentation of design including BOM, drawings, and procedures.
• Oversee and coordinate activities involved in fabrication, alignment, calibration, installation, and repair of optical and opto-mechanical systems.
• Manage small to mid-sized projects from concept to production.
• Collaborate in a team environment working with Hardware, Software, and Process.
• Participate in team and other assigned meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or higher.
• 3+ years of experience in Optical or Opto-Mechanical Systems Design and Development (6+ years for consideration at the Senior level).
• Experience with optical design and analysis software, such as Zemax or CODE V.
• Experience with mechanical CAD, such as Solidworks.
• Experience with designing optical or laser systems for complex capital equipment in high value adding industries, such as additive, semiconductor, or photonics.
• Hands on experience with prototyping, aligning, calibrating, or troubleshooting complex optical or laser systems.
• Working knowledge of laser beam delivery hardware, such as beam expanders, scan lenses, galvanometer scanners, dynamic focusing units, or beam combining/splitting optics.
• Good experience in opto-mechanical design including GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and quality detail drawing documentation.
• Familiarity with laser safety standards, such as IEC 60825.
• Systems level thinker with experience working on complex optical and mechanical systems.
• High level of commitment to contribute to a positive, high-paced and results-oriented work environment.
• Willing and able to work “hands-on” to build, integrate, align, and test newly developed optical systems and/or subsystems.
• Self-driven and independent thinking. Ability to work independently.
• Strong desire to work for a company on disruptive technologies and make it a success.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with multi-laser or multi-beam array systems a plus but not required.
• Metal additive manufacturing experience a plus but not required.
• Experience with high-power fiber laser systems and associated beam delivery hardware. Experience with risk analysis methods such as FMEA or ISO12100.

About The Company

Velo, Velo3D, Sapphire and Intelligent Fusion are registered trademarks of Velo3D, Inc. Without Compromise, Flow, Flow Developer, and Assure are trademarks of Velo3D, Inc.

With the only SupportFree laser powder bed fusion capability, we enable on-demand manufacturing of production quality Titanium, Inconel, and Aluminum parts with an unprecedented degree of design freedom and quality control. The VELO3D award-winning solution includes an integrated offering of hardware and software: Sapphire® metal AM production printer, Flow™ print preparation software, Assure™ quality assurance and control system, and an integrated manufacturing process that runs throughout the printing operation.

Our team enjoys excellent benefits including healthcare coverage and 401(K) employer contributions. We believe in transparency and recognizing exceptional efforts through our monthly all-hands meetings and team member appreciation awards.

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The starting base salary for this full-time position is between $145,000 and $170,000. This salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this position in the U.S. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as work experience, job-related skills, related education, work location, and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. In addition to a competitive base salary and a comprehensive benefits package, this position may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and equity program, as applicable.

Velo3D provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to, and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on, race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.