Optical Research Engineer

Job Description:

Optical Engineer

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
The person hired for this position will support optical engineering for the Transportation & Electronics Business Group Laboratory. The person in this position will work closely with colleagues in the Systems and Modeling Group, business verticals, and product platform partners. The ideal candidate will perform well in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and is able to manage multiple projects effectively while collaborating with personnel in divisions, manufacturing, and corporate research labs. It is expected that the person in this position will design and develop optical systems and components, including optical gratings and micro/nanostructures, for applications such as optical displays and automotive in support of the Transportation & Electronic Business Group Laboratory.

As an Optical Engineer, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Design and develop optical systems and components, including optical gratings and nanostructures, for applications such as optical displays and automotive.
• Perform detailed optical simulations and modeling using both internal and commercially available software tools to predict system performance and optimize designs.
• Apply principles of physical optics and electromagnetic theory to solve complex optical problems to advance R&D to intersect future business opportunities.
• Conduct validation and testing of optical designs, analyze results, and iterate on designs as necessary to commercialize products at the speed of the customer.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in optical technologies and incorporate relevant innovations into your work.
• Prepare technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and reports, to communicate findings and progress to stakeholders.
• Working closely with functional experts in the Systems and Modeling Group and product platforms to advance new product development to meet customer design cycles.

Your Skills and Expertise 

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a science field (completed and verified prior to start).

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in physical optics, electromagnetic theory, and/or imaging optics.
• Proficiency in optical simulation and modeling software (e.g., Zemax, LightTools, Lumerical, etc.).
• Applied experience with scientific computing languages such as Python, MATLAB, or Julia to facilitate data analysis and simulations
• Experience with numerical algorithms for full-wave optical/electromagnetic simulation, such as FDTD, RCWA/FMM, or FEM
• Solid understanding of experimental techniques for optical characterization and testing.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey technical information.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in leading projects.

Work Location:

• Job is lab-based in Maplewood, MN and expectation is work onsite  

Travel: May include up to 5% domestic/international

Relocation Assistance: May be authorized.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being 

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope. 

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Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $141,150 - $172,517, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 07/03/2025 To 08/02/2025 Or until filledAll US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

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