Principal Optical Engineer

Location: Flexible (San Mateo, CA ). This role offers the flexibility to work from home 2-3 days per week, within proximity to the office location.

The Role

GoPro is seeking a candidate for the role of Principal Optical Engineer to architect, design, build, test, qualify and document the lenses that will support our future roadmap. The Principal Optical Engineer is the owner of optical design from concept to mass production and has a direct impact on GoPro’s world-class image quality.

What You Will Do

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of advanced optical systems for next-generation consumer camera products, from concept through high-volume manufacturing.
• Define optical architectures, select optical components, and drive tradeoff studies to balance performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Own end-to-end lens module development, including specification, design reviews, prototyping, and performance validation.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on optical module design, assembly processes, coatings, materials, and tolerancing.
• Establish performance metrics and validation plans, ensuring designs meet image quality, reliability, and cost requirements.
• Partner with Opto-Mechanical, Sensor, Electrical, and Systems teams to integrate optics into complete camera systems.
• Provide technical leadership in troubleshooting image quality issues, driving root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions across the supply chain.
• Represent the optical engineering team in program-level decision making, mentoring junior engineers, and setting best practices in design methodologies.
• Travel to vendors and manufacturing partners (domestic and international) to oversee prototyping, process development, and production ramp.
  
  
  

Skills We’re Excited About

• PhD or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (or equivalent industry experience).
• 10 years of experience in optical system design, with a strong track record in camera, imaging, or consumer electronics products.
• Deep expertise in lens design and optimization using Zemax OpticStudio, FRED, Ansys Speos (or equivalent tools), including tolerance analysis and optimization for mass production.
• Strong understanding of optical materials, coatings, and manufacturing processes, including injection molding, glass molding, glass grinding/polishing, and assembly techniques.
• Proven ability to translate product requirements into optical design specifications and deliver robust, high-performance solutions.
• Excellent communication and technical leadership skills, with experience working across global teams and suppliers.
  
  
  

Bonus Points For

• Hands-on experience taking consumer camera optics from prototype to high-volume manufacturing.
• Familiarity with optical metrology and test systems (e.g., Trioptics HR/PRO10, Panasonic UA3P, interferometry, stray light analysis).
• Experience in opto-mechanical design, CAD modeling, and DFM/DFA for optical assemblies.
• Strong background in image science, including system-level modeling of imaging performance.
• Track record of mentoring and developing junior optical engineers.
  
  
  

Why Work With Us?

Create your own destiny. GoPro enables you and trusts you to get your own job done, because we believe that autonomy in role brings out the best in our employees.

Live your best life. We’ve adopted remote and flexible work arrangements to support work at GoPro alongside our commitment to supporting employee wellbeing, belonging and connection with one another.

Work with leading edge technologies. We encourage employees to cultivate and use the latest and greatest technology, to provide the best solutions to serve our customers. We celebrate creative solutions that bring innovation to GoPro technology.

GoPro Highlights

• Get your very own GoPro camera gear
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance – premiums are 100% paid for employees, 80% paid for dependents
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• Generous time off policy
• 12 weeks paid parental leave for new parents
• Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) options
• Discounted employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
• LiveHealthy monthly wellness reimbursement
• Wellness programs including 1:1 Coaching, 1:1 Therapy sessions, and mental health resources
• Innovative remote-friendly wellness classes and events
• Flexible work arrangements
• Monthly phone and internet reimbursement
• Professional personal development opportunities, i.e. Opportunity Lab, technology trainings, certifications, Peer-to-Peer learning, conferences and more
• Opportunities to get involved in the causes that you care about (annual camera donation volunteer events)
  
  
  

GoPro is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The pay range for this role is between $171,275 - $210,500. Actual pay within the range is dependent on multiple factors, including your residence location and prior work experience. Equity, benefits, and a discretionary bonus may be additional forms of compensation for this role and are not included in the provided pay range.

#flexible