Senior Optical Engineer

About the role

As a Senior Optical Engineer supporting the Intraocular Lens (IOL) R&D and Advanced Optics team, you will work on proprietary optical design, simulation, and metrology innovations that advance vision-restoring ophthalmic technologies at our Fort Worth, Texas site.

Responsibilities

• Drive cross-functional innovation with Optics, Ophthalmology, Chemistry, and Mechanical Engineering teams to solve complex IOL and vision-correction challenges, advancing Alcon’s mission to help people see brilliantly.
• Lead end-to-end optical design and simulation using Zemax/Code V, developing proprietary optics optimized for human vision and defining rigorous optical metrology to ensure world-class performance.
• Own critical IOL R&D programs, from conceptual research through execution, applying deep technical judgment and creativity to introduce new design methodologies, materials, or processes; success measured by technical maturity and clinical impact.
• Leverage advanced computation and data-driven analysis (Python, MATLAB, ML/data libraries) to accelerate design decisions, improve performance robustness, and elevate engineering efficiency.
• Set the technical bar and mentor others, leading design reviews, influencing best practices, and ensuring compliance with ISO, FDA, and MDD standards—contributing to Alcon’s culture of excellence, accountability, and patient-first innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +10 years; Associate’s +6 years; Master’s +0 years).
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English.
• 2 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop solutions for problems that require the regular use of creativity.
• Knowledge of ISO, FDA, MDD, and regulations applicable to the design and development of medical devices/science/technology.
• Understanding of applied practice, concepts, and processes in a defined discipline or scientific/technical field.
• Provides specific advice in own area and recommends improvements to well-established and clearly defined processes.
• Encounters problems that are varied but similar; requires some fact-finding to define the problem. Selects the best option from a set of defined procedures or based on precedence.
• Proficiency in Python and common ML/data libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow) or MATLAB.
• Experience with optical design, optical engineering, and optical software like Zemax or Code V.
• Advanced degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering field.

Benefits

• Focused growth and development opportunities.
• Robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off for exempt associates, and PTO for hourly associates.

Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are available for this role.