Principal Optical Engineer | San Diego, CA (Onsite)
We're hiring a Principal Optical Engineer to own the optical architecture of a next-generation DNA sequencing platform — from concept through commercialization. You'll drive the design, simulation, tolerancing, and characterization of a high-sensitivity optical detection system, partnering closely with cross-functional and external CRO/CDMO teams to bring a manufacturable product to market.
What You'll Do
- Define optical architecture and technical strategy for high-throughput DNA sequencing platforms
- Lead end-to-end design, modeling, and optimization of illumination, imaging, and detection paths
- Perform optical design, ray tracing, tolerance analysis, and stray-light analysis in Zemax OpticStudio
- Build, align, test, and characterize optical prototypes and subsystems on the bench
- Define specs for custom optical components, coatings, and sources; own supplier drawings and acceptance criteria
- Partner with manufacturing contractors to transfer designs from prototype to volume production
- Lead the optical system through feasibility, design verification, design transfer, and commercial launch
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and assay teams for full instrument integration
What You Bring
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- 5-10+ years of optical engineering/system design experience with multiple products commercialized
- Expert-level Zemax OpticStudio (sequential and non-sequential modeling, optimization, tolerancing)
- Hands-on bench experience with optical alignment, testing, and characterization
- Experience working with CRO/CDMOs and contract manufacturers on make-vs-buy and design transfer
- Deep knowledge of aberrations, diffraction, radiometry, polarization, and detector/sensor selection
- Preferred: experience with ultra-high-sensitivity detection (fluorescence, single-molecule, low-light imaging) and life science/genomics/diagnostics instruments
- $175,000-$210,000/year (DOE)
Principal Optical Engineer in san diego at Unknown Company
This position is listed as contract and onsite.