Senior Optical Test & Characterization Engineer

Description

About Us: Founded in 1997, Vuzix (NASDAQ: VUZI) is a growing, dynamic company that specializes in the design, manufacturing and sale of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies and products for the enterprise and consumer markets. Company products include wearable displays and computing devices that offer portable, high-quality viewing experience for applications in augmented reality, digital information, utility, and entertainment.

Position Summary: The ideal candidate is an energetic, self-starter with leadership capabilities who will manage the characterization and test lab. They will support and document existing tests but also develop new procedures and tests to support QA, research, and production. They will work to align our test procedures with customers and vendors and be prepared to analyze and explain results. Systems under test will include bare displays, projector systems, optical sub-systems, waveguides, and other imaging systems. The individual must demonstrate effective interaction within a multidisciplinary team and deliver custom solutions with solid organization and communication in support of a variety of eyewear needs. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Characterize and test bare micro-displays, projector systems, and complete near-eye systems.
• Conceptualize and build new tests to meet research and development needs which may not be available from external vendors.
• Generate test documentation and procedures.
• Maintain organized records of tests data.
• Work with QA and Production to set up and calibrate incoming inspection procedures and in-situ validation steps in a production environment.
• Identify, procure, and set-up test equipment.
• Design and adapt new tests, providing analysis of results.
• Provide senior optical engineering expertise.
• Responsible for achievement of schedule, financial and technical performance objectives.
• Ensure proper procedures and methods are used by other members of the design team by providing a value-added quality review.
• Independently develop and implement corrective action to product and procedural problems.
• Communicate with vendors, customers, and internal management as the technical expert on different aspects of optical test and characterization.
• Ensure successful transition of tests/procedures to full scale production.

Competencies:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Written Communication – Read and interpret written information effectively, write clearly and concisely, adapt writing style for different audiences.

Verbal Communication – Give focused attention to what others are saying, take time to understand what and respond when appropriate without interrupting, speak clearly and effectively express ideas and opinions, adapt and react professionally in both positive and negative situations.

Teamwork & Collaboration – Balance team and individual responsibilities, consider others’ views objectively and with openness to changing your own, give and encourage feedback, contribute to a positive team dynamic, prioritize team success over personal interests, work effectively across departments toward company goals.

Professionalism – Interact with others in a considerate manner, follow through on commitments, react well under pressure and preserve confidentiality, control emotions, and accept responsibility, maintain focus on solutions and treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.

Motivation & Initiative – Demonstrate persistence and ability to adapt to changes in daily workflow, overcome obstacles, request and provide help as needed, and work independently. Volunteer readily and look for ways to improve and create successful outcomes, positively contributes to overall work environment.

Respect & Integrity – Treat people with respect, work ethically and with honesty and integrity, inspire the trust of others, demonstrate appreciation and sensitivity for cultural differences, help promote inclusion and understanding of the value of diversity, embrace differences and support a harassment-free environment.

Requirements

 Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics or equivalent. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of detailed experience working in a research or product design environment.
• Strong organizational, time management, leadership skills, and the ability to successfully manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Familiarity with a variety of optical test equipment.
• Familiarity with optical measurement techniques.
• Must be able to demonstrate out-of-box thinking for unique problem solving.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to solve problems, multi-task and be a hands-on leader.
• Familiarity with optical design software such as Zemax.
• Programming experience preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Travel: Negligible.

Physical Demands: Frequently required to sit, speak, hear, see, and perform repetitive motion (data entry). Occasionally required to lift or carry (10 lb. minimum). Reasonable accommodation will be made available if applicable.