Optical Design Engineer
Location: Huntsville, AL
Job Type: Full-Time
Company: Invariant Corporation
Category: Corporate Office
Job Description Apply Now
Optical Design Engineer
Invariant Corporation is seeking a skilled and motivated Optical Design Engineer to join our team. As an Optical Design Engineer, you will play a vital role in developing and supporting advanced hardware products and prototypes. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers, driving innovation in optical systems design and integration. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background in optical engineering, hands-on laboratory experience, and a commitment to excellence in prototyping and system development.
As an Optical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for providing expert engineering guidance to a diverse team, building and testing cutting-edge prototypes, and refining precise test fixtures for optical hardware systems. Your daily responsibilities will include collaborating closely with mechanical and electrical engineering staff to address complex alignment, sensor, and laser design challenges. You will also be responsible for documenting and presenting results to internal teams, developing new alignment and assembly requirements for optical subsystems, and integrating electrical, mechanical, optical, firmware, and software solutions into final prototype products.
This full-time Optical Design Engineer role offers the chance to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with a mixture of office, laboratory, and field-based activities. The position may require occasional travel, depending on project requirements. You will have the chance to exercise innovation and adaptive thinking, communicate effectively with team members and management, and apply your expertise in optical laboratory settings. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively is essential, as is a strong commitment to maintaining rigorous safety protocols, especially regarding laser systems.
Invariant Corporation values the unique contributions of each employee and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and drug-free workplace. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Join us as an Optical Design Engineer and help shape the future of advanced optical systems. Apply now by clicking the job application button to take the next step in your engineering career.
Optical Design Engineer - Summary- Key contributor in the design, prototyping, and integration of advanced optical hardware systems.
- Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions.
- Supports the full lifecycle of optical system development, from concept through to prototype delivery.
- Provide engineering guidance to a larger team of researchers and hardware engineers as an Optical Design Engineer.
- Build, test, and refine prototypes and precise test fixtures for optical hardware systems.
- Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineering staff on alignment, sensor, and laser development and design challenges.
- Document and present engineering results to the internal team, and develop new alignment and assembly requirements for optical sub-systems as needed.
- Integrate electrical, mechanical, optical, firmware, and software solutions into final prototypes or products.
- Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Comprehensive benefits available to eligible employees.
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement as an Optical Design Engineer in a cutting-edge technology environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution.
- Hands-on optical laboratory experience with instrumentation, test equipment, and testing methods.
- Current Secret clearance is required for this Optical Design Engineer role.
- Ability to safely lift and carry up to 35 lbs., with occasional bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and reaching above shoulder level.
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate is required.
- Experience with MWIR/LWIR/EO-IR applications as an Optical Design Engineer.
- Proficiency in lens and optical system design and prototyping using software such as OpticStudio/Zemax or similar tools.
- Background in design-to-delivery of R&D prototype optical systems in Visible, MWIR, and LWIR bands, especially systems with specialized bandpass or polarization filtering.
- Familiarity with common COTS optics vendors and specifying custom optical assemblies, bandpass filters, and components.
- TS clearance is preferred and will be considered an asset.
- Demonstrates strong innovation, quick learning, excellent communication skills, and adaptive thinking.
- This Optical Design Engineer position may require some travel as dictated by project needs.
- Work environment includes office, laboratory, and field settings.
- Able to work independently while collaborating with other engineers and designers.
- Expected to exercise sound judgment with regard to laser safety protocols and laboratory practices.
- Subject to the provisions of Code of Alabama § 40-18-370; the company shall give good faith consideration to Alabama residents for employment at the project.
- Invariant Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
- Invariant Corporation is a drug-free workplace.
Take the next step in your career as an Optical Design Engineer by clicking the job application button and joining a forward-thinking team dedicated to innovation and technical excellence.