Optical Engineer

TransWave Photonics, LLC is seeking an Optical Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced optical components and photonic subsystems for high power laser and LED platforms. The role requires strong Zemax proficiency, lens design from concept to manufacturing, and hands on optical characterization. This is an onsite position in Austin, TX with a salary range of USD 90,000 to 120,000 per year. The hiring window is 04/2026 to 08/2026. Our team values innovation, hands on engineering, and collaborative problem solving.

Benefits

• Flexible PTO
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Parental Leave
• Retirement Plan Matching
• Flexible Schedule
• Health Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced optical design and simulation using Zemax, including imaging systems, non-imaging optics, mini lens arrays, illumination optics, and beam shaping modules.
• Own the full optical design lifecycle: initial design, tolerance analysis, prototype fabrication, vendor communication, metrology, and performance validation.
• Design and optimize fiber‑coupling optics for high‑power semiconductor lasers and LED sources, including alignment strategies and coupling efficiency optimization.
• Develop beam combining architectures for high‑power or multi‑emitter systems.
• Characterize high‑power semiconductor lasers and LEDs, including L‑I‑V curves, near‑field/far‑field measurements, spectral analysis, thermal behavior, and beam‑quality metrics.
• Apply mid‑ to advanced‑level device physics to guide optical design choices, interpret measurements, and assess device‑level performance limits.
• Work closely with mechanical, electronics, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust opto‑mechanical integration and manufacturability.
• Support prototyping, test setup design, optical alignment, troubleshooting, and transition to production.
• Prepare optical documentation including specifications, test procedures, tolerancing reports, and manufacturing packages.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optics, Physics, Photonics, EE (photonics focus), or related field.
• Strong proficiency with Zemax (OpticStudio), including tolerancing, optimization, non‑sequential modeling, and stray‑light considerations.
• Hands‑on experience designing lenses or optical assemblies that have been manufactured and tested (prototype or production).
• Experience designing mini lens arrays, illumination optics, or beam‑shaping elements for the near‑IR and mid‑IR spectral ranges.
• Demonstrated ability to characterize high‑power semiconductor lasers or LEDs.
• Solid understanding of device physics for LEDs and laser diodes (recombination mechanisms, thermal effects, cavity dynamics, optical confinement, etc.).
• Proficiency with optical metrology tools: beam profilers, spectrometers, optical power meters, goniometers, interferometers, or imaging systems.
• Strong analytical skills in geometrical and physical optics.
• Effective collaboration with cross‑disciplinary teams, including mechanical, electronics, and manufacturing.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple development tasks.
• Zemax: 3 years (Preferred).

Technologies

• Zemax (OpticStudio)
• MATLAB
• Python