Staff Optical Engineer
Role Overview
In this role you will support the design, analysis, and realization of advanced LiDAR optical architectures. This role blends optical component ownership with significant interaction at the optical system level, supporting new product development from concept through early build phases. The engineer in this position will be responsible for defining optical component requirements, performing detailed analysis, and working directly with global optical suppliers to ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, and quality expectations. This role emphasizes strong technical ownership, hands‐on validation, and close collaboration across optical, opto‐mechanical, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams.
Objectives of This Role:
Own optical component and subsystem definitions within LiDAR architectures
Translate system‐level performance needs into clear optical requirements and specifications
Ensure optical designs are robust, tolerant, and manufacturable
Serve as a technical interface between internal teams and external optical suppliers
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Summary:
In this role you will support the design, analysis, and realization of advanced LiDAR optical architectures. This role blends optical component ownership with significant interaction at the optical system level, supporting new product development from concept through early build phases. The engineer in this position will be responsible for defining optical component requirements, performing detailed analysis, and working directly with global optical suppliers to ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, and quality expectations. This role emphasizes strong technical ownership, hands‐on validation, and close collaboration across optical, opto‐mechanical, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams.
Objectives of This Role:
Own optical component and subsystem definitions within LiDAR architectures
Translate system‐level performance needs into clear optical requirements and specifications
Ensure optical designs are robust, tolerant, and manufacturable
Serve as a technical interface between internal teams and external optical suppliers
Your responsibilities:
- Design and analyze optical components and subsystems using Zemax (OpticStudio)
- Perform optical system analysis, including performance trade studies and sensitivity assessments
- Conduct FRED based non sequential and stray light analysis
- Perform optical tolerance analysis to assess alignment and manufacturing sensitivities
- Support lens design, optimization, and performance evaluation
- Define and document lens requirements, coatings and optical specifications
- Develop and execute optical lab setups for model validation and hardware characterization
- Work closely with global optical suppliers to review designs, specifications, and manufacturing approaches
- Provide technical guidance and review of optical designs and analyses across programs, ensuring consistency, rigor, and best‐practice application
- Collaborate with opto-mechanical engineers to define alignment strategies and tolerances
- Support documentation, reviews, and technical decision making throughout development phases
Our requirements:
7–15+ years of industry experience in optical engineering with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Optics, Physics or related field.
Strong proficiency with Zemax (OpticStudio) for modeling, optimization, and tolerance analysis
Hands‐on experience with lens design and optical component development
Demonstrated ability to perform optical system‐level analysis
Experience defining optical requirements and specifications
Hands-on experience developing and analyzing solutions using MATLAB, Python, or similar programming tools
Experience defining and reviewing optical coating specifications
Hands‐on experience designing and executing optical lab setups
Experience working with global suppliers on optical components
Ability to work across modeling, lab validation, and design iteration cycles
Preferred Qualifications
Experience using FRED for stray light and non‐sequential optical analysis
Experience with laser‐based optical systems
Background in LiDAR, imaging systems, or active optical sensors
Familiarity with opto‐mechanical integration and alignment methods
Experience supporting new product development or early production builds
Experience interacting directly with optical vendors during development cycles
MS or PhD in Optical Engineering
Additional information
MicroVision offers a flexible work schedule that could include a hybrid schedule of onsite and remote work, subject to team and business needs. Individual work schedules will be at the discretion of management and dependent on role and business needs. You must live and reside within commuting distance from MicroVision’s office in Orlando, FL.
We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position. You must be able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Benefits:
- MicroVision is proud to offer a comprehensive benefit program including:
- Competitive compensation and equity program
- Choice between an HSA Medical plan with 100% employer-paid premiums for employees and generous contributions or a Buy-Up PPO Medical plan
- Buy-Up PPO Dental plan 100% employer-paid for employees
- Vision coverage 100% employer-paid for employees
- 401(k) plan with company match to help you save for your future (50% of your contributions up to the first 6% of your eligible pay)
- Generous time off package including a flexible vacation program as well as incidental personal/sick days and standard holidays
- Supplemental pay for Parental Leave
- Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability
- MicroVision is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. MicroVision is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran or any other basis prohibited by local, state or federal law. Please let us know if you need reasonable accommodation in completing the application, attending and/or participating in an interview or in taking any test required for employment.
- MicroVision is an E-Verify participant. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.
- Visit our website at www.microvision.com to learn more about our company.
About Microvision
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