Senior Optical Engineer

Precision Optical & Optomechanical Engineers | Space Systems (SoCal) & Medical/Aero (New England)

Locations: Southern California & New England/Greater Boston Area (Plus multiple high-impact engineering hubs nationwide)

Experience Levels: Project, Senior, and Principal roles available

Clearance Requirement: US Citizens or US Persons only (ITAR/EAR Compliant)

Compensation: $80,000 to $220,000+ base packages , with select senior tracks in Southern California featuring highly attractive early-stage equity components. Comprehensive client benefits include options for 100% employer-paid health coverage and matching 401(k) programs.

About the Opportunities

Are you an engineer who thrives at the intersection of complex modeling, structural analysis, and hands-on laboratory reality? Rather than being pigeonholed within a narrowly defined specialty, Rudzinsky Associates (RA) is partnering with pioneering, global industry leaders to offer exceptional career paths across the complete optical and optomechanical product-development lifecycle —from initial ray tracing and STOP analysis through advanced metrology, new product introduction (NPI) , and full production.

While we are actively recruiting for multiple high-impact roles tailored to key regional centers of excellence, RA continuously manages a diverse portfolio of premier optical opportunities nationwide . Our current featured hubs include:

• Southern California Hub (Aerospace & Vision AI): A pioneering aerospace and AI technology company building the future of vision AI by pairing a world-first multi-dimensional sensor (molecular chemistry, temperature, and 3D shape) with a powerful Large World Model. The elite engineering team includes veterans from NASA/JPL, U.S. defense primes, and OpenAI developing the next generation of space- and airborne-based sensing systems. Looking for: Elite Optical Systems & Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineers with specific experience in NASA, space-based, and fielded spaceborne systems.
• New England Hub (Medical & Aerospace Giants): Fast-paced, collaborative operations expanding their scope in precision instruments and European precision engineering. Looking for: Project to Principal level engineers to drive a diverse mix of medical device systems (including endoscopes, imaging, and illumination) as well as robust aerospace and defense applications.

Whether you are a rising Project Engineer looking to accelerate your hands-on development, or a Senior/Principal SME ready to architect technical payloads and lead customer engagements— RA has a tailored opportunity for you, regardless of your geographic preference.

Why These Roles Are Exciting

• Diverse, High-Impact Work: See your work move beyond theory into real-world medical devices, deep-space satellites, next-generation vision AI platforms, and fielded spaceborne systems .
• Top-Tier Compensation: Packages range sharply by role and experience level from $80,000 to $220,000+ base , with premium tracks in Southern California featuring highly attractive early-stage equity components.
• Unmatched Benefits: Client packages feature premier incentives, including options for 100% employer-paid health/dental/vision for employees, company HSA contributions, and robust 401(k) matching programs.
• Culture of Innovation: Work alongside world-class veterans from NASA/JPL and top-tier tech hubs, enjoying the resources of global leaders paired with agile, scaling environments.

What You’ll Do (Scaled to Role & Location)

• Optical Design & Simulation: Utilize Zemax OpticStudio , Code V, or FRED for sequential/non-sequential ray tracing, stray light analysis, and advanced tolerancing.
• Optomechanical Architecture (SoCal Senior Track): Lead the mechanical design of precision optical assemblies, mounts, mechanisms, and interfaces qualified for launch. Own Structural, Thermal, and Optical Performance (STOP) domains, GD&T, structural FEA, and thermo-elastic modeling.
• Hands-on Prototyping & Alignment: Define precision alignment strategies, tooling, and procedures. Lead the active optomechanical integration, bonding, and functional verification of flight, test, or instrument hardware.
• NPI & Environmental Testing: Support the transition from engineering concepts into new product introduction (NPI) and full production. Oversee comprehensive test plans and execute environmental testing ( TVAC, vibration, shock , interferometers, spectrometers, and MTF stations), driving root-cause analysis for any performance anomalies.
• Technical Leadership: Act as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) in high-level customer engagements, present designs at major review gates, mentor junior engineers, and maintain strict adherence to regulated design controls ( ISO 13485/FDA for medical or strict aerospace/NASA standards for space systems).

What We Are Looking For

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field (Master’s or PhD highly preferred for senior tracks).
• Experience: Open from 3+ years (Project Level) up to 8–12+ years (Senior/Principal Levels) of progressive product development experience.
• Industry Expertise:
• For SoCal: Proven track record taking designs from concept through environmental testing for NASA, space-based, and fielded spaceborne platforms . Experience with spaceflight hardware, EO/IR, hyperspectral, or laser payloads is highly preferred.
• For New England: Exposure to medical device manufacturing (ISO 13485, endoscopes) and/or aerospace/defense environments.
• Toolbox: Proficiency in optical design software (Zemax, Code V) and/or expert knowledge of CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo, etc.) and FEA.

Why Partner with Rudzinsky Associates?

For over 55 years, RA has been the premier talent acquisition partner in lasers, optics, and photonics. We understand the underlying physics, speak your language, and match elite engineering leaders with career-actualizing opportunities both in these featured hubs and nationwide . Connect with us today to explore where your expertise fits best. Our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers.