Lead Optical Engineer

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the optical requirements of the program and evaluate technical risk
• Responsible for conceptual development and detailed analysis of various optical systems that include telescopes, beam directors, relay optics, and optical test benches
• Support cross-site programs that can include refractive and reflective optical sensors from near UV to IR
• Provide support and manage optical procurement of components and subassemblies
• Responsible for the execution of the assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of optical hardware
• Generate formalized optical engineering content for design and technical reviews throughout the program life cycle (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, etc.)
• Provide understanding and design insight into physical optics, optical aberration theory and optical system performance criteria.
• Responsible for understanding properties and application of optical materials: crystalline, glass, metal, and polymer materials
• Responsible for understanding and specifying Anti-Reflective (AR), High-Reflective (HR), Ion-Beam Sputtered (IBS) dielectric, and filter optical coatings
• Troubleshoot and resolve optical design and hardware performance issues
• Recommend and implement design and process improvements
• Support optical technology development by offering insights and informed suggestions for new concepts and research and development activities
• Communicate effectively and execute with a multi-disciplinary team toward optical system goals
• Ability to work independently and status work products
• Support program management with technical advice and direction on assigned programs; adheres to program financial goals and provides financial estimates and status updates to program management
  
  

Education & Experience

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in optics, optical-physics, or other related discipline. An understanding of optical design, fabrication, and test, and the ability to apply engineering theories and concepts are essential.
• Minimum 7 years of related experience in a professional role with a bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or related discipline; or minimum of 5 years of experience with a master’s degree, or 3 years of experience with a doctorate in a relevant field.
  
  

Skills

• Optical design software expertise (Code V [preferred] or ZEMAX)
• Familiarity with stray light analysis is considered a plus (FRED [preferred] or TracePro)
• Scripting capability to support various analysis tasks (MATLAB [preferred], PYTHON, Optical Software)
• Comfortable describing optics sensing and laser propagation using coherent and incoherent sources
• Technical knowledge of a wide application of principles, theories and concepts in the field of precision optical system architecture
• Responsible for performing optical sensitivity and Monte Carlo tolerance analyses with guidance
• Understanding of Opto-Mechanical design principles
• Understanding of optical component or system test and metrology instruments, techniques, and performance testing, e.g. Transmitted Wavefront Error, Surface Figure, focal length, transmission, relative illumination, vignetting etc.
• Collaborates with I&TE with design input on optical alignment techniques and optical alignment tools and metrology (interferometers, spectrophotometers, autocollimators, theodolites, measuring/toolmaker microscope, lasers, etc.)
• Perform trade studies and engineering analyses of optical alignment and tests for optical instruments
• Understanding of clean room protocols and processes and best practice associated with optical element cleaning, handling, and packaging
• Supports Vendor/supplier sub-contract management including optics, mechanics, tooling fabrication, and optical coatings
• Exposure to and knowledge of optical component or system inspection per typical standards, e.g. MIL-PRF-13830B or ISO 10110, including cosmetic or functional Scratch-Dig, particle or residue contamination, reflectance, transmittance, index of refraction, surface roughness, BRDF, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  
  

Working Conditions

• Job operates in a professional office environment
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
• Work in a cubicle office
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Walk. Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other employees accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Use hands/fingers to type/handle. Operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Sedentary Work. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
  
  

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State."

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

About The Team

II-VI Aerospace & Defense is a high technology company, offering careers in offices and campuses in California, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. We work with emerging technology in areas of atmospheric sensing and imaging, adaptive optics, optical communications, coherent beam combining, and numerical performance analysis of atmospheric optics systems. II-VI A&D has recently been awarded several new government contracts and we are offering opportunities to leverage your technical experience and interpersonal skills for something more than a simple paycheck. If this sounds like the type of environment you are seeking at this point in your career, and if your background meets these qualifications, please apply. We will offer a competitive salary and benefits. Since II-VI A&D is a rapidly expanding organization, it means that significant opportunities exists for career advancement and professional development.