Photonics Sensing Architect

About the role

Our mission at Oura is to empower every person to own their inner potential. Our award-winning products help our global community gain a deeper knowledge of their readiness, activity, and sleep quality by using their Oura Ring and its connected app. We've helped millions of people understand and improve their health by providing daily insights and practical steps to inspire healthy lifestyles. Empowering the world starts with living our values and empowering our team. As a quickly growing company focused on helping people live healthier and happier lives, we ensure that our team members have what they need to do their best work — both in and out of the office.

Responsibilities

• Define, prototype and validate new sensors (optical like raman, spectroscopy, photoacoustic, QCL etc) for low-power wearable platforms. Translate sensing requirements into robust hardware specifications aligned with product goals.
• Lead integration of optical sensors into Oura hardware, ensuring calibration, noise management, power efficiency, and high-quality signal acquisition. Design and execute sensor characterization and validation tests from prototype through production.
• Collaborate with firmware, algorithm, and systems teams to ensure accurate motion data feeds into Oura’s signal processing and machine learning stacks. Contribute to product planning and sensor roadmap discussions based on performance feedback and technology advances.
• Develop and maintain rigorous test methodologies, metrics, and automation frameworks for motion sensor performance evaluation. Analyze sensor data to diagnose edge cases and performance bottlenecks and define corrective actions.
• Engage with sensor vendors, partners, and manufacturers to assess technology options, secure components, and optimize integration into mass-production workflows.
• Produce clear technical documentation of sensor designs, trade studies, test plans, and performance metrics. Present findings and recommendations to engineering leadership and cross-disciplinary stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5+ years of optical and electrode sensor or similar sensor design and integration roles.
• Experience with optical and electrode sensors, and low-power embedded sensor interfaces.
• Strong background in sensor characterization, signal quality analysis, embedded systems, and data integrity practices.
• Excellent analytical problem-solving and written/verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with experience working across hardware, firmware, and analytics teams.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity packages
• Health, dental, vision insurance, and mental health resources
• An Ōura Ring of your own plus employee discounts for friends & family
• 20 days of paid time off plus 13 paid holidays plus 8 days of flexible wellness time off
• Paid sick leave and parental leave

Pay

Region 1: $216,000 - $255,000. Oura takes a market-based approach to pay, which may vary depending on your location. US locations are categorized into tiers based on a cost