Senior Optical Engineer, R&D

About the Role Join the R&D team at a defense technology startup developing autonomous directed-energy systems. You will lead optical system design and investigations, applying deep optical expertise to turn designs into robust hardware. 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 packaging, housing, and system integration. Conduct tolerance analysis, performance validation, and design iteration. Guide alignment, characterization, and testing of integrated optical systems. Work with vendors and fabricators on feasibility, tolerancing, and manufacturability. Establish best practices 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 that were built and operated as hardware, including alignment, characterization, and hands-on debugging. Strong command of optical theory and experience leading investigations and trade studies that inform system-level decisions. Experience specifying and evaluating optical components, performing tolerance analysis and validation, and working with vendors or fabricators. Working familiarity with mechanical packaging and integration, and experience collaborating across engineering disciplines. Experience with high-power laser optics, ruggedized beam delivery, beam directors, collimators, fast steering mirrors, adaptive optics, or laser communication terminals is relevant. Experience with Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V, and approximately 1 micron 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, United States.