About the Role Join the R&D team at a defense technology startup developing autonomous directed-energy systems. You will lead optical system design and investigations, applying deep optical expertise to turn designs into robust hardware. What You'll Do • Lead optical design and analysis for core system components. • Drive optical investigations, trade studies, and system-level design decisions. • Specify and evaluate optical components and subsystem architectures. • Partner with mechanical engineers on packaging, housing, and system integration. • Conduct tolerance analysis, performance validation, and design iteration. • Guide alignment, characterization, and testing of integrated optical systems. • Work with vendors and fabricators on feasibility, tolerancing, and manufacturability. • Establish best practices for optical development, validation, and technical documentation. What We're Looking For • Typically 5 to 10 or more years of senior-level experience in optical engineering, optical design, or related physics-based systems work. • Demonstrated experience designing and analyzing optical systems that were built and operated as hardware, including alignment, characterization, and hands-on debugging. • Strong command of optical theory and experience leading investigations and trade studies that inform system-level decisions. • Experience specifying and evaluating optical components, performing tolerance analysis and validation, and working with vendors or fabricators. • Working familiarity with mechanical packaging and integration, and experience collaborating across engineering disciplines. • Experience with high-power laser optics, ruggedized beam delivery, beam directors, collimators, fast steering mirrors, adaptive optics, or laser communication terminals is relevant. • Experience with Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V, and approximately 1 micron fiber laser systems, is valuable. • BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Compensation & Benefits Base salary: $150,000 to $200,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available. Location On-site in San Francisco, California, United States.