Staff Optical Engineer

Aeva Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 181,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock grants

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Aeva Inc. in Mountain View, CA is seeking a Staff Optical Engineer to lead the design, development, and validation of advanced optical sub-components for coherent LiDAR systems.

You will drive modeling, simulations, and system analyses while mentoring junior engineers and influencing architectural decisions. The role requires extensive experience with optical design, fabrication processes, and cross-functional collaboration across photonics, mechanical, and systems teams.

Qualifications

• Experience driving optical system designs from concept through high-volume production.
• Strong proficiency with physical/wave/Fourier optics principles.
• Hands-on laboratory skills for setting up, testing, validating, and troubleshooting optical subsystems.
• Knowledge of optical fabrication processes (molded, polished, diamond-turned).
• Ability to influence system-level decisions and present technical recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Leading advanced modeling and simulation of optical systems, including beam propagation, tolerance analysis, stray-light and scattering analysis, polarization effects, and sensitivity studies.
• Performing and reviewing optical simulations to evaluate architectures, predict performance, and identify design trade-offs.
• Conducting system-level analyses to ensure manufacturability, robustness, and alignment with performance requirements.
• Developing requirements and specifications for optical components based on detailed analytical insights.
• Generating and documenting new intellectual property related to optical modeling, analysis techniques, and system concepts.
• Providing cross-functional technical guidance to photonics, mechanical, and systems engineering teams.
• Mentoring junior engineers in modeling methodologies, simulation workflows, and interpretation of results.

Skills

Optical system design and modeling

Modeling & simulation

Tolerance analysis

Stray-light analysis

Polarization effects

Beam propagation

Sensitivity analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 10+ years

Master’s degree + 6+ years

PhD + 3+ years

Equivalent experience

Tools

ZEMAX

Code V

FRED

Job description

Staff Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA

About us: Aeva’s mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security, and beyond. Aeva is transforming autonomy with its groundbreaking sensing and perception technology that integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions. Role Overview: Aeva is seeking an experienced and highly innovative Staff Optical Engineer to join our dynamic engineering team. In this senior role, you will lead the design, development, and validation of advanced optical sub-components and systems that form the core of Aeva’s coherent LiDAR technology. You will help set technical direction, mentor junior engineers, and influence architectural decisions across multiple programs.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading advanced modeling and simulation of optical systems, including beam propagation, tolerance analysis, stray-light and scattering analysis, polarization effects, and sensitivity studies.
• Performing and reviewing optical simulations to evaluate architectures, predict performance, and identify design trade-offs.
• Conducting system-level analyses to ensure manufacturability, robustness, and alignment with performance requirements.
• Developing requirements and specifications for optical components based on detailed analytical insights.
• Generating and documenting new intellectual property related to optical modeling, analysis techniques, and system concepts.
• Providing cross-functional technical guidance to photonics, mechanical, and systems engineering teams.
• Mentoring junior engineers in modeling methodologies, simulation workflows, and interpretation of results.

What you have:

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree with 6+ years; or PhD with 3+ years; or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience driving optical system designs from proof-of-concept through high-volume production.
• Strong proficiency with physical/wave/Fourier optics principles
• Strong proficiency with modeling and scripting tools such as ZEMAX, Code V, FRED, or similar.
• Expertise in tolerance analysis, stray-light, and scattering analysis.
• Deep experience with precision optical, micro-optic, and/or fiber-optic components.
• Hands-on laboratory skills for setting up, testing, validating, and troubleshooting optical, fiber-optic, and opto-mechanical subsystems.
• Knowledge of optical fabrication processes (molded, polished, diamond-turned) as well as micro-structured components.
• Ability to influence system-level decisions, present technical recommendations, and work across disciplines.

What's in it for you:

• Be part of a fast paced and dynamic team
• Very competitive compensation and meaningful stock grants
• Exceptional benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and more
• Unlimited PTO: We care about results, not punching timecards

Salary Range

$181,300—$245,300 a year

Salary pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, certifications, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges are subject to change in the future. Depending on the position offered, equity, bonus, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, pre-tax commuter and health care/dependent care accounts, 401k plan, life and disability benefits, flexible time off, paid parental leave, and 11 paid holidays annually.

Aeva is an Equal Opportunity Employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.