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Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

Optical Engineer 

Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)

The Opportunity

We are seeking a hands-on, mid-level Optical Engineer to help develop, model, optimize, test, and productize next-generation spectroscopy platforms and gas measurement products.

Picarro’s products deliver real-time measurements of critical gases at parts-per-billion and parts-per-trillion levels. As an Optical Engineer II, you will join a world-class team developing high-precision systems based on Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS), broadband lasers, fiber-coupled optical architectures, coated optics, and advanced optomechanical assemblies. This role is intended for an engineer with strong optical fundamentals who can apply first-principles reasoning, Zemax-based modeling, and disciplined experimental methods to improve optical performance, robustness, manufacturability, and yield. The position reports to the Director of Spectrometer e

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a practical, hands-on optical engineer with deep curiosity about light, optical components, and optical processes. They are comfortable moving between first-principles analysis, optical modeling, laboratory measurements, and product-level troubleshooting. This individual understands Gaussian beams, fiber coupling, resonator coupling, coatings, optical alignment, tolerancing, and component-level tradeoffs, and can use tools such as Zemax OpticStudio to model and optimize real systems rather than treating simulation as a black box. The right person is detail-oriented, data-driven, collaborative, and motivated to develop manufacturable, reliable, high-performance optical systems.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to the design, modeling, build, integration, optimization, and transfer of advanced optical and electro-optomechanical systems for Picarro’s next-generation CRDS products. Support prototype and pilot builds, develop and refine optical alignment and coupling processes, select and qualify optical components, document methods and results, troubleshoot performance issues, and work with cross-functional teams to improve sensitivity, stability, manufacturability, reliability, and yield.

Technical Expertise

  • Optical Physics and First-Principles Analysis: Apply a strong understanding of Gaussian beam propagation, cavity optics, interference, polarization, scattering, absorption, diffraction, and optical power budgets to analyze and improve real optical systems.
  • Optical Modeling and Zemax: Build, maintain, and interpret optical models using Zemax OpticStudio or equivalent tools, including beam propagation, tolerancing, sensitivity analysis, alignment sensitivity, and performance trade studies.
  • Fiber Coupling Optimization: Develop, model, align, and optimize fiber-coupled optical subsystems, including mode matching, coupling efficiency, back-reflection management, polarization considerations, and stability over environmental and manufacturing variation.
  • Cavity Coupling Optimization: Support cavity input/output coupling optimization for CRDS systems, including mode matching, mirror selection, alignment strategy, optical feedback sensitivity, throughput, ringdown performance, and stability.
  • Coating Development and Specification: Work with internal teams and suppliers to define, evaluate, and improve optical coatings for mirrors, lenses, filters, windows, and other optical components, including reflectivity, transmission, absorption, scatter, durability, and environmental performance.
  • Optical Component Selection and Qualification: Select, specify, test, and qualify lasers, fibers, lenses, mirrors, isolators, filters, detectors, coatings, and other optical components based on performance, reliability, manufacturability, availability, and cost.
  • Optical Test and Characterization: Plan and execute optical measurements, collect and analyze data, develop test methods, quantify uncertainty, and connect measured behavior back to optical models and first-principles expectations.
  • System Troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis: Diagnose optical performance issues in complex electro-optomechanical systems, identify root causes, and recommend design, process, supplier, or test improvements.
  • Manufacturing Transfer and Documentation: Create clear specifications, test procedures, alignment methods, component qualification plans, build records, and engineering documentation that support repeatability, transfer, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Experience

  • BS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field; MS preferred.
  • Typically 3–5 years of hands-on experience in optical engineering, optical instrumentation, spectroscopy systems, fiber optics, laser systems, photonics, or related hardware development.
  • Strong understanding of optical fundamentals, with the ability to reason from first principles and connect analytical predictions to measured system behavior.
  • Practical experience with Zemax OpticStudio or equivalent optical design and analysis tools, including the ability to build useful models, run trade studies, and interpret results critically.
  • Hands-on experience aligning, testing, and troubleshooting optical assemblies involving lasers, fibers, lenses, mirrors, detectors, coatings, and precision optomechanical hardware.
  • Working knowledge of fiber coupling, Gaussian beam optics, optical power budgets, optical tolerancing, and component-level performance tradeoffs.
  • Strong analytical troubleshooting skills, with the ability to use experimental data to isolate problems and recommend design or process improvements.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and documentation skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced development environment.
  • Experience supporting prototype builds, pilot builds, manufacturing transfer, supplier qualification, or early production troubleshooting is strongly desired.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with CRDS, laser-based spectroscopy, high-finesse optical cavities, cavity coupling, ringdown measurements, or precision optical sensing systems.
  • Experience specifying, evaluating, or qualifying optical coatings, including high-reflectivity mirrors, anti-reflection coatings, filters, windows, or low-loss coated optics.
  • Experience with optical suppliers, component specifications, incoming inspection methods, qualification plans, and supplier-driven performance improvement.
  • Experience with optical metrology, beam profiling, power measurement, spectral measurements, insertion loss, return loss, scatter, absorption, or environmental stability testing.
  • Experience with data analysis or automation using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or equivalent tools.
  • Experience with optomechanical design, precision alignment, tolerance analysis, environmental testing, reliability testing, or design for manufacturability.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $140K. Our total compensation package includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualifications, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
  • Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
  • Employee Referral Program
  • 401K
  • Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
  • On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance. 

 

 

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