Principal Optical Engineer - Optical Solutions

About the role

Molex is seeking a Principal Optical Engineer to lead the innovation, design, and prototyping of our next-generation optical products. This role requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to drive complex programs from concept through development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the innovation and detailed design of next generation WSS, and DGE modules
• Develop advanced free space optical systems designs, including beam collimation, beam shaping, diffraction management, polarization control and high efficiency fiber coupling
• Own optical system architecture from concept through feasibility, design reviews, and design release
• Drive innovation initiatives, identifying novel optical approaches to improve performance, reduce size, enhance robustness, and lower cost
• Perform advanced optical modeling and simulation using Zemax, including sequential and non-sequential ray tracing, tolerance analysis, stray light analysis, and sensitivity studies
• Translate system performance requirements into detailed optical specifications, budgets, and design trade-offs
• Work closely with opto-mechanical engineers to ensure robust packaging, alignment strategy, thermal stability, and manufacturability of optical systems
• Participate in hands-on prototyping and validation activities to ensure strong correlation between design models and experimental results
• Lead technical design reviews and provide clear justification of design decisions using simulation data and engineering analysis
• Contribute to intellectual property development, including invention disclosures and patents

Requirements

• PhD degree in Engineering, Physics, Photonics or related technical field
• At least 10 years of industry experience with Optical Design in a product development environment
• Deep theoretical and practical experience in Optics and fiber coupling
• Extensive experience with optical simulation tools such as Zemax with demonstrated ability to design complex optical systems
• Proven track record of innovation in a product development environment taking designs from concept to production
• Proven ability to guide and mentor Engineers and act as a technical authority within cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with advanced optical components such as LCOS, MEMS, precision Lenses and polarization optics
• Experience with opto-mechanical integration, optical alignment strategies and tolerance stack-ups
• Experience with spectrometer design
• Prior experience with WSS

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in optics and deep understanding in optical system design including fiber coupling, collimation, diffraction, polarization and beam shaping
• Proven ability to translate system performance requirements into detailed optical specifications, budgets, and design trade-offs
• Ability to lead and mentor engineers
• Experience with hands-on prototyping and validation activities
• Experience with technical design reviews and providing clear justification of design decisions
• Experience with advanced optical modeling and simulation using Zemax
• Experience with intellectual property development, including invention disclosures and patents

Skills

• Optical Design
• Optics and Fiber Coupling
• Zemax Simulation
• System Architecture
• Design Reviews
• Technical Leadership
• Intellectual Property Development

Benefits

• $160,000 - $200,000 per year
• Variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form
• Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement
• Paid vacation/time off, educational assistance
• Infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance

Pay

We anticipate paying $160,000 - $200,000 per year for this role.

Schedule

This role is full-time.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Life Insurance
• AD&D (Accidental Death & Disability)
• Disability
• Retail Retirement
• Paid Vacation/Time Off
• Educational Assistance
• Infertility Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Adoption Assistance