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Open nowPosted 5 hours ago

Senior Optical Engineer, R&D

Clera274 open roles

Pay
$150,000 – $200,000 a year
Where
San Francisco
Work mode
On site
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Your applicationOpen nowSenior Optical Engineer, R&DClera · San Francisco

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The clock on this job

Early applications get read.

13.5% of postings close within 7 days. Measured by our own scanner across the market. Clera postings stay open a median of 6 days.

Share of postings closed within
  1. 2.3%1 day
  2. 4.6%3 days
  3. 13.5%7 days
  4. 21.8%14 days
  5. 36.6%30 days
  6. 58.9%60 days
This job: posted 5 hours ago

Clera median: 6 days open

The posting

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join a defense technology team developing autonomous directed-energy systems. You will lead optical design and investigations for hardware platforms, applying strong optical judgment to help deliver robust systems beyond the lab.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Lead optical design and analysis for core system components.

- Drive optical investigations, trade studies, and system-level design decisions.

- Specify and evaluate optical components and subsystem architectures.

- Partner with mechanical engineers on optical packaging, housing, and integration.

- Perform tolerance analysis, validate performance, and guide design iterations.

- Lead or support alignment, characterization, and testing of integrated optical systems.

- Work with vendors and fabricators on manufacturability, tolerancing, and component feasibility.

- Establish practical approaches for optical development, validation, and technical documentation.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

- Typically 5 to 10 or more years of senior-level experience in optical engineering, optical design, or related physics-based systems work.

- Demonstrated experience designing and analyzing optical systems built and operated as real hardware, including precision alignment, characterization, and hardware debugging.

- Ability to apply optical theory from first principles and lead investigations that inform system-level decisions.

- Experience with optical components and subsystem architectures, vendor collaboration, tolerance analysis, and performance validation.

- Experience collaborating with mechanical engineers on packaging, housing, and integration.

- Relevant experience may include high-power laser optics, ruggedized beam delivery, beam directors, collimators, fast steering mirrors, adaptive optics, or laser communications terminals.

- Experience with Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V, and 1-micron Yb fiber laser systems, is valuable.

- BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: $150,000 to $200,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.

LOCATION

On-site in San Francisco, California.

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