Staff Optomechanical Engineer

xLight Inc.; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k contribution

Flexible PTO

Winter break

Hybrid work model

Meals provided

Job summary

xLight Inc. is seeking an experienced Staff Optomechanical Engineer to lead L3 subsystem delivery in Palo Alto, CA.

You will own technical scope, cost, schedule, and delivery from design through commissioning, coordinating suppliers and internal teams across mechanical, optical, electrical, controls, and physics disciplines. You will drive engineering analyses, verification plans, and installation activities for EUV/X-ray beam delivery subsystems, with a focus on precision optomechanics and

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in optomechanical design and engineering.
• Ownership of supplier management, cost, and schedule on a complex hardware program.
• Technical ownership on large-scale, complex optomechanical systems.
• Experience installing and commissioning complex optical systems.
• Proficiency with CAD and PDM/PLM systems; ability to direct FEA/validation work.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the L3 Systems Lead for Photon subsystems from design through commissioning.
• Manage the full supplier lifecycle: vendor selection, contracts, fabrication oversight, acceptance testing, delivery.
• Define interfaces with adjacent systems and drive cross-functional integration.
• Track project status, risks, budgets, and schedules; provide updates and recovery plans.
• Lead and mentor matrixed teams of engineers and technicians; coordinate execution.
• Chair design reviews and drive technical decisions to closure.
• Develop and deploy precision optomechanical subsystems: mirrors, vacuum chambers, cooling and motion systems.
• Perform engineering analyses (first-principles, tolerances, validation via FEA/CFD).
• Develop verification plans to ensure performance, reliability, safety.
• Maintain design docs, BOMs, and ECRs; oversee installation and SAT.

Skills

Optomechanical design

Team leadership

CAD software

FEA/CFD

Vendor management

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

MS not required

Tools

NX

Creo

SolidWorks

Teamcenter

Windchill

Job description

Staff Optomechanical Engineer, L3 Subsystem Delivery

Location: Palo Alto, CA (hybrid) with travel requirements

About xLight

xLight is building the world's most powerful laser to revolutionize semiconductor lithography, metrology, and for other critical applications. Our approach harnesses the power of free-electron lasers, building on accelerator technology in use globally at scientific user facilities. Extending this technology, we are developing industrial-grade light sources, engineered for continuous operation, to meet the sophisticated demands of next-generation patterning, metrology, and inspection applications. Join us in this new revolution.

At xLight, we hire exceptional talent — and exceptional means more than a strong résumé. How we achieve results is just as important as the results themselves, which is why attitude and character matter as much as technical skill. We believe great talent is widely distributed, not confined to a particular school or background. We seek individuals who demonstrate ownership, a spirit of collaboration, technical curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn and grow — guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Creativity, and Engineering Excellence. We don't just hire for what someone can do today. We hire for who they are and who they are becoming.

What We Need — and Why It Matters

We are seeking an experienced optomechanical engineer to serve as a L3 Systems Lead — owning technical and delivery accountability for your subsystems while owning the engineering and validation work needed to prove they perform — doing it directly or allocating it across our engineering team and suppliers. You will drive the full lifecycle delivery of several subsystems for xLight's EUV and X-ray beam delivery networks including optics, diagnostics, sensors, vacuum, structural, and controls systems. Photon Technology develops the fundamental subsystem architectures; in this role you will pull from those architectures — managing suppliers, owning cost and schedule, and directing (or performing) the final design, manufacture, and commissioning needed to deliver.

This is a rare opportunity to shape both the technical direction and delivery execution of a program building the next generation of accelerator technology — reviving Moore's Law and transforming semiconductor manufacturing.

What You Will Do

Subsystem Delivery & Technical Leadership

• Serve as the L3 Systems Lead for assigned Photon subsystems, owning technical scope, cost, schedule, and delivery from design through commissioning.
• Manage the full supplier lifecycle, including vendor selection, contract execution, fabrication oversight, acceptance testing, and delivery.
• Define and manage interfaces with adjacent systems, driving cross-functional integration and resolving technical issues.
• Track project status, risks, budgets, and schedules, providing updates and recovery plans as needed.
• Lead and mentor matrixed teams of engineers and technicians, providing technical direction and coordinating execution.
• Chair design reviews and drive technical decisions to closure.
• Lead the design and development of precision optomechanical systems, including mirrors, gratings, vacuum chambers, cooling systems, motion systems, and supporting hardware.
• Perform engineering analyses, including first-principles of calculations, tolerance analyses, and validation through FEA/CFD as needed.
• Develop and execute verification plans to ensure designs meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
• Maintain design documentation, drawings, BOMs, and engineering change records.
• Plan and oversee subsystem installation, commissioning, and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), ensuring safe and successful execution.
• Troubleshoot technical issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvements for future deployments.

What We Are Looking For

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field
• 10+ years of professional experience in optomechanical design and engineering, or comparable experience
• Demonstrated ownership of supplier management, cost, and schedule on a complex hardware program — qualifying vendors, awarding and managing contracts, and delivering to budget and timeline
• Technical ownership experience on large-scale, complex optomechanical systems
• Track record of installing, and commissioning complex optical systems
• Strong proficiency with CAD software (NX, Creo, SolidWorks) and PDM/PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill, ePDM), and the ability to direct and critically evaluate FEA/design-validation work (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams spanning mechanical, optical, electrical, controls, and physics disciplines.
• Understanding of common manufacturing processes (machining, welding, EDM, sheet metal forming, additive)
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for installations and customer support

And If You Bring This — Even Better

• MS in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field
• Expertise in X-ray or EUV beamline optics, diagnostics, beam transport, vacuum systems, and motion systems (including actuators such as DC, stepper, and piezo motors)
• Hands-on expert-level FEA/CFD (ANSYS, COMSOL) for structural, vibrational, and thermal validation
• Expertise in controls integration for accelerator beamlines

What You Can Expect from Us

• 100% Company-funded health insurance for employee
• Company funded Life Insurance and disability insurance
• 401k contribution. 100% up to 3% of compensation, plus 50% match between 3% and 5%. Immediately vested.
• Flexible Paid Time-Off, Sick leave and Company Holidays
• Company Paid Two-weeks Winter Break
• Flexible Hybrid Work Model
• Chef prepared Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Palo Alto office

Pay transparency

The pay range for this position reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries at commencement of employment and is expected to be between USD 145,000/year-195,000/year. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including role, job-related knowledge, skills, relevant education and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity, and a full range of benefits. Details of all benefits will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

EEO Statement

xLight Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.