Exowatt

Exowatt

Lead Optical Engineer (Austin, TX)

Austin, TX

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 35 days ago
PythonC++AWSData AnalysisSystems EngineeringElectrical EngineeringTest AutomationResearchCommunicationCollaborationProblem SolvingRenewable EnergyTolerance Analysis

About the role

  • A dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Characterize long-term optical durability - including UV-driven transmittance loss, soiling, and thermal cycling - to support a 30-year field lifespan.
  • 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.
  • Maintain clear, organized technical documentation for internal teams and external stakeholders.

Requirements

  • Experience with concentrating optics, solar concentration (CPV/CSP), high-flux systems, or optical-to-thermal coupling is a strong advantage.

Nice to have

  • Exowatt is revolutionizing the energy landscape for the AI era with our groundbreaking P3 system that captures solar energy, stores it as heat, and generates electricity on demand.
  • If hired for this role, relocation to one of these sites is required.
  • We provide relocation assistance.
  • 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.

Compensation

  • What We Offer: Competitive salary and equity options.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and equity options.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.

This listing is sourced directly from Exowatt's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.