Optical Design Engineer

HENSOLDT South Africa; Centurion; Presencial; ZAR 700 000 - 950 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

HENSOLDT South Africa is seeking an Optical Design Engineer to design, develop and maintain optical products throughout the lifecycle. You will apply optical, physical and engineering principles to deliver manufacturable, performance-compliant solutions that meet product and customer requirements.

The role requires a strong background in optical system design, modelling, materials, coatings and metrology, with experience in multidisciplinary environments.

Qualificações

• Bachelor-level engineering/science degree in a relevant field.
• Master's degree in physics or optical engineering is advantageous.
• 5+ years in optical design or related engineering environment.
• Experience with design, integration and testing of optical systems.
• Experience in multidisciplinary product development or manufacturing is advantageous.

Responsabilidades

• Define technical requirements from customer and system needs, selecting suitable materials and technologies.
• Design and optimise optical systems and packaging to meet manufacturability and performance goals.
• Develop and evaluate optical prototypes using appropriate test equipment and fixtures.
• Provide optical engineering support across production and service environments to sustain performance and quality.
• Maintain governance through design reviews, documentation and change control.

Conhecimentos

Optical System Design

Optical Analysis

Zemax

Optical Modelling

MATLAB/Python

Formação académica

BEng or BSc in Mech Eng/Physics

MS in Physics/Optical Eng

Ferramentas

Three-Dimensional CAD

Optical Coatings

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About The Role

The Optical Design Engineer designs, develops and maintains optical products and technologies by applying optical, physical and engineering principles throughout the product-development lifecycle. The role delivers innovative, manufacturable and performance-compliant optical solutions that meet product, system, customer and business requirements.

Qualification and experience

• Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a relevant technical discipline.
• A Master of Science in Physics, Optical Engineering or a related field will be advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in optical design, product development or a related engineering environment.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, development, integration and testing of optical systems and components.
• Experience within a multidisciplinary product-development, engineering or manufacturing environment will be advantageous.

Key technical skills

• Optical System and Lens Design
• Optical Analysis and Optimisation
• Zemax Optical Design Tools
• Optical Simulation and Modelling
• Optical Materials and Component Selection
• Optical Coatings and Adhesives
• Optical Actuators and Sensors
• Laser Design, Modelling and Safety
• Optical Metrology
• Optical Alignment and Integration
• Optical Performance Evaluation
• Optical Packaging and Precision Assembly
• Engineering Tolerance Analysis
• Material Properties and Surface Treatments
• Optical Manufacturing Processes
• Three-Dimensional CAD Modelling
• MATLAB, Python and Mathcad
• Engineering Drawing and Specification Interpretation
• Engineering Change Control
• Prototype Development and Testing
• Optical Qualification and Industrialisation
• Test Equipment, Jig and Fixture Development

Key responsibilities

Optical Research And Requirements Definition

Analyse customer, end-user, system and product requirements through optical research and engineering evaluation to define technical requirements and identify suitable materials and technologies, resulting in viable solutions aligned with product-performance and lifecycle objectives.

Optical Design and Development

Design and optimise optical systems, components and associated packaging using optical modelling, simulation, component selection and tolerancing to satisfy defined technical and manufacturing requirements, resulting in innovative, functional and production-ready solutions.

Prototype Integration and Qualification

Develop, integrate and evaluate optical prototypes and assemblies using appropriate test equipment, jigs and fixtures to verify design performance and qualification requirements, resulting in validated solutions ready for industrialisation and production.

Product Lifecycle and Technical Support

Provide specialist optical-engineering support across production and in-service product environments by investigating technical problems, non-conformances and end-user requirements to implement controlled design improvements, resulting in sustained product performance, quality and configuration integrity.

Technical Governance and Capability Development

Maintain optical-engineering governance through design reviews, change control, technical documentation, work scoping and specialist guidance to strengthen engineering discipline and transfer technical knowledge, resulting in improved organisational capability and consistent engineering outcomes.

Our recruitment values

HENSOLDT South Africa focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organisational strategy. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive corporate culture that benefits our employees and delivers better outcomes for our clients. In line with our commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, we welcome applications from all ethnic groups. In line with HENSOLDT's commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups.

Application Deadline

28 October 2026.