Staff Optical Engineer: LiDAR Optics & Modeling Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Stock grants

Unlimited PTO

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Aeva is seeking a Staff Optical Engineer to lead the design, validation, and optimization of optical sub-components and systems for its coherent LiDAR technology. You will drive modeling, simulations, and tolerance analyses while mentoring engineers and influencing architectural decisions.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, collaboration across photonics, mechanical, and systems teams, and delivering robust, manufacturable solutions for high-volume production.

Qualifications

• Experience driving optical system designs from concept to high-volume production.
• Strong proficiency in physical/wave/Fourier optics principles.
• Expertise in tolerance analysis, stray-light and scattering analyses.
• Hands-on lab skills for optical, fiber-optic, and opto-mechanical 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 and sensitivity studies.
• Performing optical simulations to evaluate architectures and trade-offs.
• Conducting system-level analyses for manufacturability and robustness.
• Developing requirements for optical components based on analytical insights.
• Documenting intellectual property related to optical modeling and concepts.
• Mentoring junior engineers in modeling methodologies and workflows.
• Providing cross-functional technical guidance to photonics, mechanical, and systems teams.

Skills

Optical modeling

Physical/wave/Fourier optics

Tolerance analysis

Stray-light analysis

Scattering analysis

Lab skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years experience

Master’s degree with 6+ years experience

PhD with 3+ years experience

Tools

ZEMAX

Code V

FRED

Job description

Aeva is seeking a Staff Optical Engineer to lead the design, validation, and optimization of optical sub-components and systems for its coherent LiDAR technology. You will drive modeling, simulations, and tolerance analyses while mentoring engineers and influencing architectural decisions.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, collaboration across photonics, mechanical, and systems teams, and delivering robust, manufacturable solutions for high-volume production.