Optical Engineer - MW

Welcome to Matter, where we are building the future of vision AI: pairing a world-first sensor that sees molecular chemistry, temperature, and 3D shape with a Large World Model that will be the most powerful intelligence engine for the physical world. This system doesn't just see what something looks like; it understands everything from a single pixel. We call this Superintelligent Vision.

Our team has delivered technologies to Mars for NASA/JPL, designed advanced sensors for U.S. Defense, and built core infrastructure at OpenAI. We are now building the next generation of space- and airborne-based sensing systems.

Matter is hiring an Optical Engineer focused on the mid-wave infrared portion of our sensing architecture. This role will help design, analyze, integrate, and validate optical performance across the MWIR path while working closely with optomechanical, detector, calibration, thermal, and systems teams.

• Generate optical designs and system trade studies for advanced MWIR electro-optic sensors, balancing performance, manufacturability, and end-user utility.

• Develop and maintain optical performance, tolerance, stray-light, image-simulation, radiometric, stop, and interface analyses; translate results into optical specifications and drawings.

• Decompose system requirements into optical system and subsystem requirements, and partner with detector, optomechanical, thermal, electronics, and systems engineers on integrated design decisions.

• Design optical test equipment and validation procedures; plan and execute optical assembly, alignment, characterization, calibration, and system-integration activities.

• Participate in design reviews; analyze test data, investigate discrepancies and root causes, and document performance against requirements and as-built optical configurations.

• Advanced degree in optics, physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related field, with a strong foundation in optical engineering and experience with infrared or spectroscopic systems.

• Proficiency with Zemax or equivalent optical design and analysis software, FRED or equivalent stray-light analysis, and performance-prediction tools for novel optical systems.

• Hands-on experience building and aligning optical assemblies and conducting optical test, alignment, characterization, and calibration.

• Ability to communicate technical tradeoffs and work effectively across engineering disciplines.

• Experience with MWIR components, detectors, coatings, sources, or test equipment, including familiarity with diffractive or meta-optics applications, manufacturing, and modeling.

• Experience with stray-light, thermal-background, radiometric, or environmental-performance analysis.

• Experience developing optical systems for airborne, space, defense, or scientific instruments.

• MWIR performance is understood through clear models, budgets, and verified test results.

• Optical interfaces and tolerances support reliable integration with the broader payload.

• Calibration and test processes produce repeatable evidence against system requirements.

This role is based in El Segundo, CA, and requires onsite work.

To comply with U.S. export regulations, applicants must be one of the following:

• A U.S. citizen or national

• A lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

• Eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

At Matter, we believe in rewarding high performance and providing the support you need to thrive. Our compensation and benefits package includes:

• Competitive compensation based on experience

• Early-stage equity package

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage

• Opportunity to work on novel sensing, data, and AI systems with real-world deployment paths to the largest industries in the world

Matter Intelligence is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who can raise the ambition and performance of the team.