Staff Optical Design Engineer

Neurophos is tackling the global energy bottleneck in AI compute by reimagining inference architecture with silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density and up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions. Backed by a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier, with participation from M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, and others, we’re building the future of large-scale AI inference.

About the role

The optical team designs and simulates the OPU’s free-space optical path, a critical system for meeting the performance requirements of our analog compute engine. As Staff Optical Design Engineer, you will own the optical architecture and performance from concept through production, collaborating with optomechanical, photonics, electrical, and system engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Optical design, optimization, and simulation of complex optical systems and components.
• Use Zemax or other tools to perform tolerance analysis, sensitivity, and stray light simulations.
• Collaborate with external suppliers on technical specifications (DFM).
• Partner with optomechanical, photonics, electrical, and system engineering teams.
• Support laboratory alignment, debugging, and characterization of optical systems.
• Represent optical design in system reviews, own relevant sections of system requirement documents, and communicate status and risk to engineers and executives.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a tightly relevant technical field.
• 5+ years of industry experience as an optical design engineer developing advanced optical systems from concept to market introduction.
• Deep expertise in imaging optical system design, including beam shaping.
• Advanced knowledge of aberration theory, tolerancing, DFx, and ghost/straylight simulation.
• Proficiency using Zemax, LightTools, or other optical design software for sequential and non-sequential ray tracing.
• Programming skills in Python, Zemax Macro language, or similar.
• Strong communicator, able to convey complex optical design concepts to technical and executive audiences.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience in a fast-moving startup environment.
• Experience designing freeform optical systems.
• Advanced knowledge of optical metrology, alignment, and assembly concepts.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.
• Unlimited PTO with a focus on delivery, not rigid vacation banks.
• 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities.
• Full suite of voluntary benefits: Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.
• Personalized benefits: choose the plans that fit your life and take cash back for those you don’t use.