Senior Optical Engineer

What You’ll Do

• Write optical Design Requirements Documents (DRDs) for telescope and instrument assemblies, subsystems, in collaboration with the engineering team.
• Develop optical interface requirements for telescope and instrument systems.
• Maintain optical specifications and drawings for components in accordance with ISO 10110 standards.
• Identify and manage technical risks related to optical systems.
• Aid in translating science requirements into technical optical specifications.
• Work closely with Mechanical Engineering to develop mounts, alignment, tolerancing, and calibration strategies.

Optical System Layout, Design, Specifications, and Analysis

• Layout, design, model, and analyze complete optical systems for telescope and instrument assemblies and subsystems.
• Create detailed tolerancing studies and alignment procedures.
• Conduct wavefront error budgeting and stray light analysis to optimize system performance.

Vendor and Contractor Assessment

• Serve as the technical point of contact for optical component vendors.
• Develop optical system alignment, commissioning, and verification & validation test plans.
• Prepare specifications and statements of work for optical fabrication and coating contracts.
• Evaluate vendor capabilities and ROM quotes.

Design Reviews and Presentations

• Lead optical system sections of Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
• Prepare technical presentations and documentation for project meetings and reviews.
• Support planning and cost estimation for optical design completion and construction of optical systems and subsystems.

Core Competencies

• Optical System Design and Analysis
• Wavefront Error Budgeting and Stray Light Analysis
• Tolerancing and Alignment Procedures
• Technical Project Management
• Requirements Development and Documentation
• Vendor and Contractor Technical Oversight
• Design Reviews, Planning, and Presentation Skills
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of relevant experience in optical system design, analysis, and engineering project management.
• Proven experience designing complex optical systems for telescopes or scientific instruments.
• Strong analytical skills, including wavefront error budgeting and stray light analysis.
• Experience with optical tolerancing, alignment procedures, and verification/validation planning.
• Excellent communication skills for collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in optical modeling and design software, such as SolidWorks and Zemax.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files, office tools, attend meetings, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
• May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
• Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
• Constant communication with other individuals.
• Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
• Constant need to distinguish, discern, and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
• Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6,800 feet to 14,000 feet).