Senior Optical Integration and Test Engineer

Attalon is a U.S.-based aerospace and defense technology company formed through the 2025 carve-out of Coherent's Aerospace & Defense division by Advent International. Attalon designs and manufactures mission-critical optical systems, precision coatings, and advanced laser subsystems for ISR&T, space, missiles, and directed energy applications. This position is located at our Tustin, CA site.

About the role

As an Optical Integration and Test Engineer, you will utilize optical engineering theory in the conceptual design, development, and testing of optical components, sub-assemblies, and systems. This role will be heavily involved in the initial product development phase to ensure that products are testable and manufacturable to the requirements specified by the design engineering team. There will be significant hands-on involvement in the design and operation of optical metrology systems that will be used to verify and validate that the performance of our products meets customer requirements. You will investigate, identify, and resolve engineering problems on prototype builds and provide a smooth transition into routine production.

Responsibilities

• Applies in-depth and diversified knowledge of optical engineering design theory and manufacturing engineering principles, practices, and methods.
• Provides support to the manufacturing team in the development and improvement of fabrication processes and methods, as well as developing new optical metrology and testing techniques.
• Develops and implements test procedures and evaluates and selects appropriate test methods and instrumentation.
• Understands full breadth of specifications used to characterize optical surfaces, sub-assemblies, and systems.
• Drafts acceptance test procedures and reviews data to verify compliance to customer requirements and specifications.
• Applies quantitative analysis in determining root cause of technical issues related to the fabrication, assembly, and testing of optical components and systems.
• Provides hands-on technical direction during integration and assembly of optical components into related mechanical hardware.
• Evaluates manufacturability of optical designs and provides feedback to the internal design team.
• Reviews customer requirements to propose and implement design-based solutions to meet specific application needs.
• Mentors other engineers in alignment methods, error budgets, error analysis, and tools.

Requirements

• BS or MS in optical engineering, physics, or an equivalent technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of related work experience.
• Hands-on experience with optical testing (interferometry, infrared testing, laser alignment stations, imaging quality analysis, MTF, ensquared/encircled energy).
• Knowledge of optical theory, aberration analysis, and optical design.
• A working knowledge of radiometric measurement techniques, photo detectors, and electronics is desirable.
• Basic knowledge of optical fabrication techniques for spheres, aspheres, and diamond turned optics.
• Must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license due to access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws.

Pay

For California, the salary range for this position is $84,295-$144,072. This range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.