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About the Role

The Optical Design Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, tolerancing, and support of precision optical systems from concept through production. This role develops optical solutions that meet customer requirements while ensuring designs are manufacturable, testable, and cost-effective. The ideal candidate combines strong theoretical optics knowledge with hands-on experience developing optical designs that have been successfully manufactured and deployed in real-world applications.

Responsibilities

Design and develop optical systems and lens assemblies for commercial, industrial, and government applications using industry-standard optical design software.
Perform optical analysis including imaging performance, tolerancing, sensitivity analysis, and system optimization.
Develop manufacturable optical designs that balance performance, cost, producibility, and schedule requirements.
Collaborate with engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure successful transition of designs from development into production.
Create, review, and approve engineering documentation including optical prescriptions, specifications, drawings, and design reports.
Support troubleshooting and root cause investigations related to optical system performance, assembly challenges, manufacturing variation, and test results.
Develop and execute optical verification and validation plans to confirm compliance with performance requirements.
Support optical metrology activities including lens characterization, alignment verification, and performance testing.
Conduct stray light analysis and support mitigation efforts using established optical engineering best practices.
Utilize Zemax Optic Studio and other analysis tools to model, evaluate, and improve optical system performance.
Develop scripts, automation tools, and analytical methods that improve design efficiency, tolerancing workflows, and engineering productivity.
Serve as a technical resource to manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams throughout product lifecycles.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline required; Master's degree preferred.
Minimum 5 years of professional experience designing optical systems and lens assemblies within a commercial, industrial, defense, aerospace, medical device, or precision manufacturing environment.
Proficiency with Zemax Optic Studio for optical design, analysis, tolerancing, and optimization.
Demonstrated experience performing optical analysis, tolerancing, sensitivity studies, and performance optimization.
Solid understanding of optical performance metrics including MTF, distortion, illumination, image quality, and system tolerancing.
Experience designing lens systems or optical assemblies that have progressed beyond academic projects into prototype, production, or commercial applications.
Ability to review and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements while ensuring designs are manufacturable, testable, and cost-effective.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose optical performance issues and support root-cause investigations.
Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering, quality, and operations teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other engineering analysis tools; experience developing scripts, macros, or automation tools to improve design and analysis workflows is highly desirable.
Experience with CODE V, FRED, TRIOPTICS, Optikos, or similar optical design, analysis, and metrology systems is highly desirable.
Familiarity with optical assembly, alignment, manufacturing processes, and production support activities is beneficial.
Experience supporting visible, SWIR, MWIR, or LWIR optical systems is a plus.
Practical understanding of optical-mechanical integration and the impact of manufacturing variation on optical performance.
Electro-Optical Systems Engineering background is highly beneficial.
Applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined by U.S. law, i.e., U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents ("Green Card" holders), persons granted refugee status or asylum status in the United States, or temporary residents granted amnesty.

Skills

Zemax Optic Studio
Optical analysis
Tolerancing
Sensitivity studies
Performance optimization
MTF
Distortion
Illumination
Image quality
System tolerancing
Microsoft Excel
Scripting
Automation tools
CODE V
FRED
TRIOPTICS
Optikos
Optical assembly
Alignment
Manufacturing processes
Production support
Visible optical systems
SWIR optical systems
MWIR optical systems
LWIR optical systems
Optical-mechanical integration
Electro-Optical Systems Engineering

Location

Rochester

Work Type

Onsite
Full-time

Experience Level

Minimum 5 years of professional experience

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline
Master's degree preferred

Salary/Compensations

Competitive compensation package linked to your experience and performance.

Benefits

401(k) with company match
Tuition Reimbursement opportunities
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
HSA
Life insurance
Paid time off including vacation
Sick time
11 paid company holidays

About the Company

RPO is a global leader in precision optics, optical components, and optical assemblies.
We specialize in a full spectrum of products & services including – Design and Engineering, Systems Integration, Lens Assembly, Visible and Infrared Components, Glass and Plastic Molded Aspheres, and Thin Film Coating.
As one of the fastest growing companies in Rochester, RPO offers exciting career paths and work on market-leading programs.

Equal Opportunity

Rochester Precision Optics is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our business and our people.
EOE/AA/Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.