Technical Program Manager

Optikos, LLC.; Montrose (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Optikos is seeking an experienced professional to join our optical design and system development team in Wakefield, MA. You will manage full product development cycles—from concept to testing—and contribute technically as needed while coordinating with diverse engineering groups.

Successful candidates have a strong optics/mechanics background and a proven record of leading multi‑phase programs, with proficiency in PM software and hands-on execution.

Qualifications

• Degree in Optical or Mechanical Engineering; graduate degree preferred.
• PM certification is a plus but not required.
• Experience managing programs or hardware development/builds is essential.
• Proficient with engineering software relevant to optics and mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development programs to deliver new products.
• Manage multi-phase projects with diverse technical teams.
• Meet program milestones and cost targets.
• Serve as both program manager and technical contributor.
• Travel occasionally to support customer-facing meetings.

Skills

Program management

Optics/engineering

PM software (MS Project, Jira, ClickUp

Multi-project leadership

Communication skills

Hands-on engineering

Education

Degree in Optical or Mechanical Engineering

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

CAD

Raytracing

PCB design

Job description

Optikos is seeking a talented, enthusiastic, and creative individual to join our growing business of optical design services and optical system development. You will join a diverse staff to plan and execute development of new and cutting-edge products for our customers and for the Optikos product line. Our small company atmosphere is ideal for those who enjoy managing the full gamut of product development, from conceptualization, modeling and simulation, to prototyping and laboratory testing. The products you oversee are manufactured for use in consumer, industrial, medical, and aerospace applications. Optikos specializes in taking on interesting and challenging projects, and we are eager to add talent to our exceptional team!

Roles and Responsibilities

• A successful candidate has a strong engineering background as well as a proven track record of leading technical development programs to produce new and novel products.
• Highly motivated individual with a proven track record (7+ years) of leading technical programs in the optical, aerospace, or medical markets or (3+ years) of leading optical engineering/instrumentation planning, management, design, and hardware builds.
• Must be fluent in project management software (MS Project, Jira, ClickUp, etc.) and comfortable managing multi-phase development projects with diverse technical teams.
• Experience with medical or aerospace product development is desirable.
• Proven track record of meeting program milestones and cost targets.
• Individual must have a technical background, preferably in optics, mechanics, opto-electronics, or opto-mechanics.
• This role will be both a program manager and technical contributor.
• Travel: Extremely limited travel may be required to facilitate high-value in-person customer-facing meetings

Skills and Requirements

• Degree in Optical or Mechanical Engineering; Graduate degree preferred
• Certification in Project Management is preferred but not required
• Previous experience with managing programs or hardware development/builds is a must
• Experience with technical software relevant to an engineering background (i.e., CAD, Raytracing, PCB design, etc.)
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal) are required
• Enjoys hands-on work and the ability to manage multiple projects at one time.

About Optikos

For the last 40 years, Optikos has provided innovative applications of optical technology, both products and services, to commercial, government, and consumer products organizations worldwide. The Optikos engineering team is the largest independent optical engineering group in the world, managing all aspects of instrument design, including optics, mechanics, electronics, and software systems, in addition to our in-house IQ Lab Services to benchmark and assess the performance of customer lens or camera systems. We develop innovative products in the life sciences, aerospace and defense, industrial, and consumer markets, and our experience with a wide variety of applications has enabled our staff to generate creative solutions to some of the most challenging optical problems. Our team continues to improve existing metrology product lines and develop new products that Optikos manufactures and installs around the globe. Our headquarters is centrally located right outside the Boston medical and tech hub in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

This in-office position is located in the Wakefield, Massachusetts facility. We offer competitive compensation packages and a challenging, stimulating environment.

Optikos is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.