Lead Optical Engineer (Austin, TX)

• Design, automate, and optimize optical test setups for our Fresnel-lens concentrators and complex opto-mechanical assemblies, ensuring efficiency and precision. • Characterize concentration ratio, focal-spot flux distribution, and end-to-end optical efficiency, and validate these measurements against design models. • Develop tailored solutions for validating optical models, ensuring they meet technical and performance specifications. • Execute advanced optical testing, troubleshooting, and validation to ensure optimal product performance and reliability. • Investigate sun-tracking alignment, acceptance angle, and off-axis behavior, and their impact on delivered concentration and system yield. • Characterize long-term optical durability — including UV-driven transmittance loss, soiling, and thermal cycling — to support a 30-year field lifespan. • Automate test procedures using Python and C++ to streamline workflows and improve accuracy. • Feed validated optical performance data into thermal models and the system digital twin (developed in collaboration with NVIDIA and AWS) to support predictive performance and O&M. • Work closely with the Optical Product Development and R&D teams to integrate test results and feedback into design and development processes. • Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to ensure alignment across product development stages. • Define and validate manufacturing tolerances for optical components produced at high volume in domestic factory settings. • Analyze and document test results, providing insights, recommendations, and clear technical documentation. • Utilize non-imaging ray-tracing software, such as LightTools or FRED, for performance simulations and test validation. • Research and address thermal and environmental impacts on optical system performance. • Maintain clear, organized technical documentation for internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 3 years of industry experience, or equivalent work experience. • Strong expertise in optical testing and model validation, with experience automating test setups. • Proficiency in Python and C++ for test automation, data analysis, and workflow optimization. • In-depth knowledge of non-imaging optics and related practical applications. • Familiarity with non-imaging ray-tracing tools such as LightTools or FRED. • Hands-on experience with optical systems in a lab environment, including assembly, alignment, integration, and testing. • Proficiency in optical tolerance analysis and defining manufacturing tolerances for optical components. • Experience with concentrating optics, solar concentration (CPV/CSP), high-flux systems, or optical-to-thermal coupling is a strong advantage. • Familiarity with polymer optics (e.g., PMMA Fresnel lenses) and their long-term durability under UV and thermal stress is a plus. • Familiarity with optical modeling tools such as ZEMAX, CODE V, or similar is a strong advantage. • Competence in generating technical documentation and simple CAD drawings to support engineering and manufacturing. • A problem-solving mindset, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively. • Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.