Optical Engineer
Software Engineering · Full-time
Boulder, CO, USA
USD 120k-150k / year + Equity
Posted on Sep 25, 2026
Job Responsibilities
- Partner with mechanical engineers and physicists to iteratively design optical subsystems in the areas of laser distribution, high numerical aperture microscope imaging, and optical cavities
- Analyze and make recommendations to the engineering team for balancing competing requirements
- Create novel designs and specifications of optical systems and subsystems from the component level up to the system level
- Evaluate suitability of design solutions by performing detailed tolerance and stray light analysis
- Develop alignment procedures for optical designs
- Assist in hands-on assembly and precision alignment of finalized optical designs
- Characterize the performance of optical subsystems
- Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.
Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field. Advanced degree a plus
- 3+ years optical design experience
- 2+ years of hands-on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment
Qualifications
- Experience with Fourier Optics, flat field relay optical systems, and telecentric imaging
- Experience in the design of high-numerical-aperture imaging systems
- Experience with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray-tracing software
- Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software
- High attention-to-detail and accuracy
- Creative, critical thinking with ability to strategize and solve problems in a dynamic environment
- Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment
- Excellent communication, listening and people skills