Date Posted:     01/29/08

Revised:            04/08/08

Reference:         Job No. 08-101             

Location:           Tustin, CA

OPTICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

SUMMARY: 

The Optical Engineer's function is to create precision optical system and subsystem designs of high complexity.  Will also perform conceptual design work and may be asked to perform the function of team leader.  Reviews customer requirements to propose and implement design based solutions to meet specific application needs.  Experience in the application and use of sophisticated analytical techniques and tools is a requirement of this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Responsible for the design and development of complex and innovative state-of-the-art optical and electro-optical components, systems, and subsystems. 

·         Take a lead role in developing basic optical system designs and defining design philosophy, directing and performing system analyses, and evaluating detailed designs for completeness and correctness. 

·         Analyze requirements of a project and determine technical principles involved.  Identify specific plans to accomplish the project on time, utilizing optical design/analysis software.

·         May be required to provide assistance during proposal activities by planning technical efforts and estimating engineering and labor requirements necessary to successfully perform on the contract, taking into account stated cost goals, schedule constraints, and varying levels of functional specifications. 

·         Interface with manufacturing (internal and with suppliers) including reviewing optical designs for manufacturability, testing and tooling requirements.  Periodically lend assistance to manufacturing and test engineering, working with them to assemble, align, integrate and test complex optical systems.

·         Work effectively with co-workers, customers and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions; addressing others in a respectful manner, and; respecting the diversity of our team members in actions, words and deeds. 

·         Continue to learn and remain current in new technology and practices of optical engineering.

·         Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED:

• BS, MS or PhD degree in optics, physics or a related field.
• At least 5 years experience performing hands-on optical design for aerospace, space or military applications.
• Worked in an environment where these optical designs were manufactured into functioning optical systems, tested on-site, and delivered to customer satisfaction.

• In-depth understanding of ZEMAX software and its operation.
• Proven use of sophisticated optically related analytical techniques and tools.

• Hands-on experience testing optical systems using interferometric, MTF, and Encircled Energy techniques as a minimum.

• Evidence of completing detailed optical tolerancing, comparisons to manufacturing capabilities, and analyses of thermal effects.
• Evidence of significant customer interface.
• Must be a “Go To” person.
• Using a solid depth of knowledge over a broad field, brainstorm with other technical personnel to exchange ideas and discuss creative options to highly complex problems.
• Perform other duties inside and outside of specific job description in order to “do whatever it takes to get the job done”.

·         Position requires either U. S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.

·         Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. 

• Willing to travel (2 - 10%)

PREFERRED

• Experience as a Project Engineer.  Must be able to accept the responsibility for complex optical engineering/optical design problems.

• Experience in directing successful technical proposal efforts.  Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Expertise in zoom lens design.
• More than 5 years of aerospace, space or military optical design experience.
• Experience with Commercial optical design.

·         Knowledge of classical technology of, as well as modern alternatives to, optics manufacturing.

• Experience managing large, multi-discipline projects.
• Diverse and complete past experience including ultraviolet, visible and infrared waveband systems, optically-passive athermal sensors, and illumination and projection systems using coherent and incoherent sources.
• A highly ethical individual who is a self-starter, who values the worth and dignity of all people and who works well as part of a team.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Company Information:   LightWorks Optics, certified in ISO 9001:2002, is an employee-owned dynamic, high technology company, engaged in the engineering, fabrication, integration and testing of precision optical systems for use in space, aerospace, medical and commercial applications.  LightWorks was founded on high ethical standards, placing integrity, excellence, its people, its customers, and a creative environment as its highest priorities.

We offer our employees an informal, supportive, flexible and people-oriented environment which nurtures and encourages creativity, growth and innovation.  Our company emphasizes the involvement of all employees in the management process and provides an environment of fulfilled potential to its team members.  We seek employees who will find challenge and excitement in the contributions they can make to the organization.

LightWorks Optics is conveniently located between the 5 and 405 freeways (at Jamboree) in Tustin (Orange County), Southern California.  Due to technology protection requirements, all employees of LightWorks Optics must be U. S. Citizens or U. S. Permanent Residents.  LightWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits:  LightWorks Optics offers competitive salaries and benefits for all employees.  Benefits for full-time employees (pro-rata or partial benefits for part-time employees) include 3 weeks vacation, medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, FSA options, 401(k) and employee stock ownership plans, performance bonus plan, employee assistance program and an educational assistance program.  

Contact Information:  Qualified applicants please forward resume via e-mail to hr@lwoptics.com.  If e-mail is unavailable, please mail resume to:  LightWorks Optics, Attn: Human Resources, 14242 Chambers Road, Tustin, CA 92780.