Micro-Optics Engineer

<h1><strong>Role Overview</strong></h1> <p>We are seeking a Senior Micro-Optics/Microlens Array Engineer to design, model, and validate microlens-array and wafer-level micro-optical components for high-density photonic packages. You will translate system-level optical requirements into manufacturable designs, build tolerance budgets, work with fabrication and packaging partners, and close the loop with measured data.</p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Candidate note:</strong> We do not expect one person to match every item below. Strong candidates from micro-optics, optical packaging, semiconductor photonics, lithography/process integration, precision optics, or FDTD-Zemax co-design backgrounds are encouraged.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h1><strong>What You Will Do</strong></h1> <ul> <li><strong>Own micro-optical design:</strong> design microlens arrays and compact micro-optical components, including lens pitch, aperture, focal length, numerical aperture, sag, surface form, fill factor, array uniformity, substrate, material, and coating choices.</li> <li><strong>Build connected optical models:</strong> use tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, FRED, LightTools, VirtualLab, Ansys/Lumerical, COMSOL, or equivalent; combine ray, physical-optics, diffraction, and statistical methods where appropriate.</li> <li><strong>Bridge EM-scale and package-scale design:</strong> where useful, connect FDTD, FEM, EME, RCWA, or similar electromagnetic simulations to Zemax/Code V/physical-optics models so local optical-interface behavior is represented in system-level trade studies.</li> <li><strong>Drive tolerancing and yield:</strong> develop sensitivity studies and tolerance budgets across fabrication, placement, package stack-up, adhesive, thermal, refractive-index, coating, and surface-form variation; use Monte Carlo and DOE methods to connect design choices to expected yield.</li> <li><strong>Bring semiconductor process awareness:</strong> partner with process and supplier teams across lithography, grayscale/direct-write patterning, imprint, etch transfer, deposition, thin-film coatings, wafer-level metrology, design rules, and process-window trade-offs.</li> <li><strong>Translate design intent:</strong> create vendor-ready specifications, optical prescriptions, mechanical drawings and guidance, material and coating requirements, metrology plans, incoming inspection criteria, and acceptance criteria.</li> <li><strong>Partner with suppliers:</strong> evaluate fabrication routes such as photoresist reflow, grayscale lithography, etch transfer, molding, and replication.</li> <li><strong>Validate hardware:</strong> plan and run prototype characterization, including surface profile, focal length, array uniformity, optical throughput, reflection behavior, polarization sensitivity, thermal drift, environmental stability, and alignment sensitivity.</li> <li><strong>Automate the workflow:</strong> build Python tools for simulation sweeps, tolerance studies, data reduction, visualization, dashboards, and clear technical reporting.</li> <li><strong>Work cross-functionally:</strong> partner with packaging, mechanical, thermal, test, reliability, device, and system teams to move designs from concept to qualified hardware.</li> </ul> <h1><strong>What Will Help You Succeed</strong></h1> <p>This section is a guide, not a rigid checklist. We care most about evidence of technical ownership, sound physics, manufacturability judgment, and the ability to learn quickly.</p> <ul> <li>M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field; B.S. with exceptional relevant experience also considered.</li> <li>Industry experience in micro-optics, wafer-level optics, optical design, photonic packaging, optomechanics, precision optics, semiconductor process integration, or advanced optoelectronic hardware.</li> <li>Experience designing microlens arrays, aspheric micro-optics, diffractive or hybrid micro-optical surfaces, compact optical elements, or package-level optical features with manufacturing constraints.</li> <li>Proficiency with optical modeling and tolerancing in Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, FRED, LightTools, VirtualLab, Ansys/Lumerical, COMSOL, or equivalent.</li> <li>Nice to have: FDTD-Zemax co-design experience, or equivalent EM-to-system optical modeling, especially where simulation outputs inform tolerances, angular/spectral response, surface geometry, or package-level decisions.</li> <li>Nice to have: working knowledge of semiconductor processing or microfabrication, including lithography, etch, deposition, thin films, wafer-level metrology, process variation, design rules, or DFM.</li> <li>Ability to convert requirements into an optical design, tolerance budget, supplier data package, and practical characterization plan.</li> <li>Experience with prototype characterization, failure analysis, design iteration, and model-to-hardware correlation.</li> <li>Python skills for simulation automation, numerical analysis, data reduction, and reporting.</li> <li>Clear written and verbal communication; ability to operate independently in a fast-changing startup environment.</li> </ul> <h1><strong>Helpful Experience</strong></h1> <ul> <li>Taking wafer-level optics or micro-optical components from concept through prototype builds, supplier qualification, or production ramp.</li> <li>High-density optoelectronic packages, semiconductor photonics packages, optical interconnect hardware, co-packaged optics, sensing systems, LiDAR, AR/VR optics, miniature imaging, or datacom hardware.</li> <li>Semiconductor process collaboration: mask or layout review, critical-dimension data, SEM/AFM/profilometry interpretation, film-stack review, process-control limits, or interaction with a foundry/process team.</li> <li>DFM, DVT, reliability screening, thermal cycling, humidity exposure, high-temperature storage, and environmental qualification.</li> <li>Optomechanical CAD or GD&amp;T using SolidWorks, NX, Creo, Zemax CAD exchange, or equivalent.</li> <li>Lab automation with motion stages, cameras, optical power meters, OSAs, temperature controllers, SMUs, oscilloscopes, Python/PyVISA, SCPI, or LabVIEW.</li> </ul> <h1><strong>How You Will Work</strong></h1> <ul> <li>Owner mindset: drive ambiguous technical problems from first principles to measured hardware.&nbsp;</li> <li>Bias for action: build lightweight experiments, define clear metrics, and iterate based on data.</li> <li>Cross-functional fluency: communicate trade-offs across optics, semiconductor process, packaging, mechanical, thermal, test, reliability, and systems teams.</li> <li>Builder mentality: create reusable models, scripts, specifications, and test methods.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>