Senior Optical Engineer

Client is seeking an experienced Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design, analysis, development, integration, and testing of advanced optical systems for commercial, aerospace, and defense applications. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing innovative optical solutions spanning imaging systems, laser-based systems, precision optics, and emerging photonic technologies.

This position offers the opportunity to work across the full product lifecycle from concept development and system architecture through prototype development, testing, and product transition while collaborating with a multidisciplinary engineering team to solve challenging optical system problems.

Key Responsibilities Primary responsibilities are to be performed in Dayton, OH.

• Lead the architecture, design, analysis, and optimization of complex optical systems and subsystems.
• Develop system-level optical requirements, functional performance budgets, and design trade studies.
• Perform optical modeling, tolerance analysis, stray light analysis, and performance optimization using industry-standard tools.
• Design and specify optical components and systems, including lens assemblies, beam expanders, fiber collimators, and illumination systems.
• Support prototype development, optical alignment, integration, characterization, and environmental testing.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams throughout product development.
• Support technology roadmap development, customer engagements, technical proposals, and intellectual property generation.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on multidisciplinary projects.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience designing and developing advanced optical or electro-optical systems.
• Strong understanding of geometric optics, physical optics, optical tolerancing, polarization, and imaging system performance.
• Experience with optical design and analysis software such as Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, or equivalent.
• Experience with optical laboratory equipment, alignment techniques, and system characterization.
• Programming or scripting experience using MATLAB, Python, or similar engineering tools.
• Track record of excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work in multidisciplinary and hybrid teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:
• Free-Space Optical Communications (FSOC)
• Laser systems and photonics
• Space-based or airborne optical systems
• Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems
• Precision optical instrumentation
• Optical sensing and spectroscopy
• Fiber-optic systems
• Adaptive optics or beam control
• Optical coatings and advanced optical materials
• SWIR, MWIR, or LWIR optical systems
• Metasurfaces, diffractive optics, or metaoptics
• Optical manufacturing, assembly, and qualification.
• Systems engineering for aerospace or defense applications.
• Experience with environmental qualification or flight hardware.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and equity participation.
• Opportunity to develop next-generation optical technologies with real-world impact.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Technical leadership opportunities and significant system ownership.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Professional development and career growth in a rapidly expanding deep-tech company.
• Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge commercial, aerospace, and defense optical systems.