G5 Infrared a LightPath Technologies company is a leading global provider of precision infrared and photonics solutions, serving defense, aerospace, medical, and industrial markets. With decades of expertise and a strong culture of innovation, LightPath designs and manufactures advanced optical components and systems that power some of the world’s most demanding applications. We offer a collaborative, technology-driven environment, opportunities to work on cutting-edge programs, and a comprehensive benefits package that supports our employees’ health, growth, and work-life balance.
The Optical Design Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, simulation, optimization, validation, and transition to production of precision optical systems for infrared imaging and electro-optical sensing applications. This role supports the development of thermal camera systems from concept through production by collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver high-performance, manufacturable optical solutions.
Responsibilities:
- Concept development, trade-off analysis, and lens design for imaging systems
- Develop optical solutions including tolerancing, design for manufacturing analyses, and optimization to meet optical performance requirements in production
- Interface and collaborate with other engineering disciplines to ensure overall product success
- Create optical specifications, requirements definitions, and documentation for suppliers and internal teams
- Work with suppliers and internal departments regarding fabrication and assembly
- Support prototyping, test and evaluation, process development, and design validation
- Provide and support continuous improvement of design and analysis methodologies and tools
- Contribute to cost estimating and proposal writing
- Perform optical tolerancing and sensitivity analyses to ensure manufacturable, production-ready designs.
- Support optical system integration, alignment, and troubleshooting during prototype and production builds.
- Participate in design reviews and technical risk assessments.
- Analyze optical test data and correlate measured performance with design predictions.
- Support root cause investigations and corrective actions related to optical performance.
- Assist in new product introduction (NPI) and transition of designs into manufacturing.
- Maintain engineering documentation including drawings, specifications, and design reports.
- Support supplier technical reviews and optical component qualification.
- Tasks as assigned
Experience/Qualifications:
- BS or greater in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
- 7+ years of lens design and optical system development
- Must be a U.S. Person as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- Extensive knowledge of:
- Optical design for imaging systems
- Geometrical and physical optics
- System performance modeling
- Design for manufacturing
- Commercial optical design software
- Experience with optical product manufacturing and optical component sourcing
- Experience with infrared systems (thermal imagers highly desired)
- Experience designing zoom lenses
- Expertise in Zemax / OpticStudio design software
- Proficient with Matlab software
- Experience supporting production optics, yield improvement, and precision alignment methods
- Ability to provide technical guidance on assigned projects
- Experience with optical testing methods (interferometry, MTF testing)
- Exposure to defense and/or aerospace industries
- Proficiency with non-sequential raytrace analysis
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Attention to detail
- Effective organizational and project management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
- Collaborative team player
- Continuous improvement mindset
Skills Required
- BS or greater in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
- 7+ years of lens design and optical system development
- Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR
- Expertise in optical design for imaging systems (geometrical and physical optics)
- System performance modeling and design for manufacturing
- Experience with optical product manufacturing and optical component sourcing
- Experience with infrared systems (thermal imagers highly desired)
- Experience designing zoom lenses
- Expertise in Zemax / OpticStudio
- Proficient with Matlab
- Experience supporting production optics, yield improvement, and precision alignment methods
- Experience with optical testing methods (interferometry, MTF testing)
- Proficiency with non-sequential raytrace analysis
- Exposure to defense and/or aerospace industries
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent verbal and written communication
- Organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities; collaborative team player
What We Do
Committed to delivering the highest quality, most reliable optical components and assemblies to its customers.
